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Hockey in Columbus

 

Pro, high school and youth hockey have had a home in Columbus for more than 50 years. Like the building the Columbus Checkers called home in 1966, Columbus’ love for the game is still standing. Central Ohio is home to an NHL franchise, two DI teams and demand that continues to drive growth for the sport in the city. In March 2025, Ohio Stadium hosts its first NHL game as the Blue Jackets take on the Red Wings in the Stadium Series.

Fast Facts | Local Teams | Notable People | Venues | Timeline | Blogs

Major Events Hosted

Future Events
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2015 NHL All-Star Weekend

Originally slated to host in 2013, Columbus’ All-Star Weekend was delayed for two years following an NHL lockout and Olympic year.

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2005 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four

Denver defeated a field of North Dakota, Minnesota and Colorado College in Columbus’ first Frozen Four at the Jerome Schottenstein…

Events-2007NHLEntryDraft

2007 NHL Entry Draft

Big names came off the board at Nationwide Arena, including American hockey legend Patrick Kane

Upcoming Events

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Fast Facts

  • Columbus’ professional hockey history began in 1966 with the Columbus Checkers (IHL) taking on the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL). Thirty years later, the Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) made their NHL debut against the same team.
  • The Blue Jackets got their name from a Wendy’s “Name the Team” promotion that solicited 14,000 submissions. The winning moniker pays homage to Ohio’s contributions as a uniform manufacturer in the Civil War.
  • Seven NHLers have roots in Columbus: Kole Sherwood, Kiefer Sherwood, Carson Meyer, Connor Murphy, Cole Sillinger, Sean Kuraly and Justin Richards.
  • Union General William T. Sherman of Lancaster, Ohio led the “March to the Sea” in Georgia in 1864. The fiery, destructive march against the confederacy gave the Atlanta Flames (NHL) a name in 1971. That Ohio civil war connection stuck when the team became the Calgary Flames in 1980.
  • Columbus offers multiple levels of hockey (NHL, NCAA, USPHL, AAA) and adaptations for the sport, including sled, blind, roller and floor.

Local Teams

Columbus Blue Jackets, Sean Kuraly

Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)

The Blue Jackets joinined the NHL in 2000. Since then, the team has made several playoff appearances and players have taken home hardware. If you’re in the Arena District on a game night and hear a cannon blast, that means the home team just scored!

Teams-OhioStateMensHockey

Ohio State Men's Hockey (NCAA DI - Big Ten)

Ohio State’s has had a men’s hockey team since 1963, spanning two conferences (CCHA & Big Ten) and nine coaches. The Buckeyes have a pair of regular season conference championships, conference tournament championships and NCAA Frozen Four appearances.

Teams-HighSchoolOHSAA

High School (OHSAA)

Fifteen Columbus-area schools compete in the Capital Hockey Conference for a chance to play for the state title on Nationwide Arena’s ice at the end of the year.

Notable People

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Rick Nash

Nash was a #1 overall pick, captain and NHL All-Star. He holds CBJ records for games played (674), goals (289), assists (258) and…

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Nadine Muzerall

Muzerall has two National Championships under her belt and has been named WCHA Coach of the Year five times as of 2024.

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Johnny Gaudreau

‘Johnny Hockey’ signed with the Blue Jackets in 2022 and was an All-Star his first year. He tragically lost his life in 2024.

People-JohnHaferman

John Haferman

An NHL Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award finalist, he has introduced 30,000+ kids to the game through the Columbus Ice Hockey Club.

Timeline

2024
1966

Oct. 12 – The Columbus Checkers (IHL) host the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) at the Ohio Expo Fairground Coliseum

1971

The Columbus Golden Seals (IHL) replaced the Checkers, playing two seasons under owner Charlie Finley, who owned the Oakland A’s and California Golden Seals (NHL)

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 Venues

Blogs

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