JULY 13, 2021

Draft Party will begin at 6 p.m. with numerous activities, including autograph sessions with CBJ players, alumni

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets invite fans to share in the excitement of the first round of the 2021 National Hockey League Draft at the team’s official NHL Draft Party and Open House, presented by Pepsi Zero, at Nationwide Arena on Friday, July 23.  The party begins at 6 p.m. ET at Nationwide Arena with live draft coverage set to start at 8 p.m.  The first 4,000 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative 2021 Draft Party credential and lanyard.  Admission is free and all ages are welcome. 

The evening will feature numerous ways for fans to come together to celebrate one of the most exciting nights of the hockey calendar year.  The 2021 NHL Draft Party and Open House, presented by Pepsi Zero, will include:

• A unique view of the team’s hockey operations draft room and in-person opportunity to watch team personnel make the club’s first-round selections from a stage on the floor of Nationwide Arena.  
• Autograph sessions with Blue Jackets players Cam Atkinson, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Jack Roslovic, along with former Jackets Jared Boll, Derek Dorsett and Mark Letestu.
• Fans can check out seat locations available for full and partial season ticket plans for the 2021-22 season.
• Special celebrity appearances, interactive games and contests on the concourse and photo station opportunities.
• Special draft night concession specials and free sampling of Pepsi Zero products, along with mike’s Hard Lemonade for fans 21 and over.
• Text-to-win contest for two tickets to 2021-22 home opener.
• The Foundation will host a raffle with several prizes and will additionally have merchandise available for sale at their kiosk on the concourse and online at http://cbjauction.givesmart.com.
• The Blue Line Team Store will be open throughout the evening.

In addition, the Blue Jackets will honor the memory of goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks at the event as items collected at the arena since his passing will be displayed on the arena concourse with an additional opportunity for fans to share memories and personal messages.

The draft event will include a special live in-arena “Hockey Night in Columbus” show, hosted by Bob McElligott and hockey lifestyle content creator Andrew “Nasher” Telfer.  The show will stream on Blue Jackets social channels and air on 97.1 The Fan from 7-8 p.m.  Live television coverage of the first-round airing on ESPN2 will be broadcast on the scoreboard with McElligott as well as television broadcasters Jeff Rimer, Jody Shelley and Jean-Luc Grand Pierre offering commentary and analysis of the selections and covering breaking news as it happens on the draft floor throughout the night.

Fans that RSVP for the event at http://bluejackets.com/draftparty will be entered to win an authentic Blue Jackets jersey signed by the club’s first overall selection.

The Blue Jackets currently hold three selections – fifth, 25^th and 32^nd – in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft.  The franchise has had three first round picks once before, selecting 14^th, 19^th and 27^th overall at the 2013 NHL Draft.  For Blue Jackets draft coverage, presented by mike’s Hard Lemonade, visit www.BlueJackets.com and follow the club’s social media channels.

‐ CBJ ‐

Full and partial season tickets for the Blue Jackets’ 2021-22 campaign are currently available for purchase.  Information on all ticketing options can be obtained by calling (800) NHL‐COLS or by visiting BlueJackets.com.

COURTESY BLUE JACKETS COMMUNICATIONS