Hockey’s History in Columbus, Ohio

Pro, high school and youth hockey has 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 Division I teams and demand that continues to drive growth for the sport in the city.

Upcoming Events

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

Notable People

Timeline

• 1966 // Oct. 12, 1966 – 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)

• 1973 // The Columbus Owls replaced the Golden Seals (IHL), lasting only four years 

• 1991 // The Columbus Chill (IHL) filled a 14-year hockey void for Columbus, known more for their outlandish promotions than their on-ice results  

• 1997 // June 25 - Columbus is awarded an NHL franchise along with Nashville, Atlanta and St. Paul 

• 2000 // Oct. 7 – The Blue Jackets drop the puck for the 2000-01 NHL season against the Chicago Blackhawks

• 2005 // Columbus hosted Denver, Colorado College, Minnesota and North Dakota for the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four 

• 2006 // The Ohio Junior Blue Jackets embark on a two-year tenure in the United States Hockey League (USHL), the nation’s only Tier 1 junior hockey league 

• 2007 // Columbus hosts the NHL Entry Draft  

• 2015 // Jan. 24-25 – Columbus hosts NHL All-Star Weekend 

• 2022 // March 20 – The Ohio State Women’s Hockey team wins its first national championship in program history 

 
Venues

Nationwide Arena 
Home to the Blue Jackets, Nationwide Arena is the centerpiece of the Arena District. Its 18,500 seats make for a loud crowd and energetic environment. It has hosted everything from the Stanley Cup Playoffs to the Frozen Four. 

The Jerome Schottenstein Center
Home to the Ohio State Men’s Hockey team, “The Schott” opened its 18,809-seat arena just two years before Nationwide Arena on the campus of Ohio State University.

Ohio Expo Fairgrounds Coliseum 
Former home to the Columbus Chill, Seals and Owls, there’s been a lot of hockey in the barn at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. Today, the facility serves the youth hockey community during the winter months and returns to its summer job as a horse barn when the state fair rolls around. 

The Ohio State Ice Rink 
The Ohio State Ice Rink has stood on the Buckeyes’ campus since 1961. The 1,000-seat facility was the home of the Buckeyes men’s hockey team from 1963-1998 and is the current home of the Ohio State women’s ice hockey team. 

The Chiller Ice Rinks 
The Chiller Ice Rinks have six locations for a total of 10 sheets of ice in Central Ohio. Each location offers a blend of hockey, figure skating and public programming. The locations are the OhioHealth Chiller Dublin, OhioHealth Chiller Easton, OhioHealth Chiller North, OhioHealth Chiller Ice Works, Ohio Expo Fairgrounds Coliseum and OhioHealth Ice Haus.