Days 42 and 41 of the countdown are marked with players from the past of the Jackets, save for one who may be, but is doubtful, to be a part of the future.
Mark Hartigan played parts of the 2003-04, 05-06, and 06-07 season in Columbus before a trade to the Anaheim Ducks where he played a miniscule part in their Stanley Cup run, but was still awarded a championship ring. After his time in Anaheim, Hartigan signed with the Red Wings, and again was a small part of a Stanley Cup run, and again took home a championship ring.
Vomit. (btw, yes, I know he’s wearing #24 here not #42)
The only thing that makes this picture postable is that I respect Michigan’s hockey program (it’s all they’ve got), and that the goal isn’t being scored against a real school.
Chad Kolarik was drafted in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes and never once saw time in the NHL with the Yotes. At the 2010 trade deadline Kolarik was swapped with the Jackets for eternal prospect Alexandre Picard. At the end of the 2009-10 season Kolarik was able to get his feet with the Jackets and appeared in 2 games.
Duvie Westcott, or “Captain Concussion” had a rough go of it in Columbus. Playing from the 2001-02 season through the 2007-08 season, only once did he show the scoring and point production desired of a mobile, “offensive” defenseman. After the 2007-08 season, Westcott’s contract was bought-out and he has since spent time in the KHL.
Kevyn Adams was part of the Inagural Blue Jacket team but was traded at the 2000-01 trade deadline as part of a package for Florida’s Ray Whitney.
Since the trade to the Panthers, Adams has also spent time with the Hurricanes, Coyotes and Blackhawks.
Brett Harkins was a short-term player for the Jackets during the 2001-2002 season, appearing in 25 games that season, his last in the NHL. Very little information is available about Harkin, but he was drafted in 1989 by the Islanders, and played for the Bruins, Panthers, and Jackets in his career.
Ben Simon spent one season with Columbus, 2005-06, appearing in 13 games and posting 0 points. Simon is a native of Shaker Heights, Ohio, and attended the University of Notre Dame. After being drafted in 1997 by the Blackhawks, Simon didn’t appear in the NHL until he was traded to Atlanta, where he played in parts of 3 seasons. After a year in Europe, Simon wound up back in North America with time spent in the ECHL and AHL, and now a coaching stint awaits.
Matt Davidson was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres during the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft, in a trade that was supposed to stop the Jackets from drafting a goalie from the Sabres. If you look at that link, clearly you can see that the Jackets did indeed draft a goalie from the Buffalo system, acquiring goaltender Dwayne Roloson. Very odd indeed.
Davidson appeared in 56 games with Columbus during the 2000-01, 01-02, and 02-03 seasons. Davidson’s time with the Jackets was his only appearance in the NHL.
Brad Moran set significant records with the Syracuse Crunch while in the Blue Jackets system, but was only able to crack the Jackets lineup for a total of 5 games over two seasons. After his time in Columbus, Moran went to Europe before a return to the NHL and AHL, and then back to Europe. Interestingly enough Moran signed this summer with the Edmonton Oilers.
Adam Pineault was drafted during the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. While spending 3 seasons with the Crunch, Pineault only appeared in 3 games with the Jackets, all during the 2007-08 season. After his time with the Jackets, Pineault spent a year with the Icehogs of the AHL before earning himself a contract this past season in the Czech Extraliga.
