Fall doesn’t just mean the return of football season in Columbus. Get ready to hear that canon blast — hockey season is nearly here!
Success on the ice or not, the Columbus Blue Jackets have some of the most diehard fans in the National Hockey League and are the consistent heartbeat of excitement for the city’s sports landscape throughout the winter. This year, that excitement might be year-round.
Before the puck drops this October — for what many locals anticipate could be the first postseason appearance since the 2019-20 season — we spoke with Brian Steel for our Superfan Spotlight Series to help us understand what makes the Blue Jackets a centerpiece of our community.
Q: We’re outside Nationwide Arena, built in 2000 as the staple of what became the Arena District when the Blue Jackets moved in here that fall. Really transformed Columbus as a sports town. Brian, what do you remember about that time?
A: I remember when there really wasn’t a whole lot down here. It’s super cool to see all the changes over the last couple of decades. It’s really enlivened this part of downtown and the Short North. It’s just a great place to bring friends, clients and family.
Q: So were you a fan from Day 1? What really got you into the team?
A: I admittedly was a (Detroit) Red Wings fan before the Blue Jackets existed. I had some college buddies that I would travel up to watch the Red Wings games. When the Blue Jackets came to town, they became my hometown team.
Q: What was a memory you had that made you say the Blue Jackets were your team?
A: Just the world-class facilities that we have here. I’ve been to games on the road … this is about as good as it gets. When this came, it became a no-brainer. The players live in our community. I live in New Albany, and many of the players are my neighbors. They invest in the community, and they enjoy living here as I do.
Q: You mention community. What are some moments that have made you feel more connected to Blue Jackets than other teams?
A: That’s an easy one. It’s my daughter, Lilly. She’s 15 now but she’s been coming with me since she was 8. One of the special highlights is (Kirill) Marchenko got a hat trick on her 12th birthday, and she subsequently met him at a fan appreciation night. He remembered the day and the game that he did it, so that was a special moment that brought community to the whole thing.
Q: What are some other great memories?
A: Another is experiencing a playoff win when we had a shutout in the first round. That was a pretty cool experience to advance to the second round in the playoffs.
Q: That series in 2019 really showcased this, but there’s nothing quite like when this arena gets real loud, is there?
A: There’s not. You hear the boom of the canon go off (after a goal), and I love when friends of mine or clients of mine from out of town get to experience that — the shock and awe of the canon going off is just really cool. I was at the last game of the (2024-25) season when we were already eliminated, but the fans stayed until the very end when the game really meant nothing at that point. They played until the very end to support the fans, for Johnny (Gaudreau). That moment was really special. Almost brought tears to my eyes.
Q: We’re getting close to the start of the season. What are you looking forward to, and what would you say to someone who only goes to a few games a year?
A: I couldn’t go as far as guaranteeing playoffs. But this is a good, young hockey team and I’m even more bullish this year. They have one more year of experience under their belt. We have a great young coach … the best fanbase in the NHL. Look out for this team. I’m feeling playoffs this year.
