In all, the Blue Jackets averaged 16,860 fans per game this season, the team's best mark since averaging 16,902 fans in the 2019-20 season and the second-best mark since the 2003-04 season.
The Blue Jackets also played in front of 14 sellouts, good for sixth all-time and the second most since 2003-04 (15 in 2018-19). Columbus made sure to thank the fans at the end of the season, including special nights during 5th Line Celebration week when players gave fans the
jerseys off their backs
as well as their sticks after the season finale.
To be sure, some of that started because of the excitement over the team's signing of Gaudreau this past summer, when tickets flew off the shelves after the Blue Jackets signed one of the top scorers in the NHL the year prior.
But as the reality set in that the banged-up Blue Jackets wouldn't be making a run to the postseason, the crowds not only didn't fade, they kept getting bigger.
"You hear from ex-teammates that you're playing that come in and say, 'Wow, it's impressive how many people you have in the building every night,'" Columbus native Jack Roslovic said. "It just goes to show you how this place is a hockey town in a lot of ways. It's cool to see. It's very positive for the players and for the organization I think especially too. If we go far, however soon that's going to be, it's going to be backed by the whole city."
There were still plenty of things to cheer for on the season as well, as the Blue Jackets still got strong a showing from Gaudreau, who had the fifth-most points in franchise history, and showcased some young talent that will be part of the future of the franchise.
Russian rookie Kirill Marchenko set a new team record with 21 goals in his first season, and he quickly became a fan favorite for both the way he filled up and the net and his affable, smiling personality. Marchenko seemed to quickly build a rapport with the 5th Line, often doling out pucks to fans during pregame warmups and stopping to take pictures after games.
"I want to say thank you to the fans," Marchenko said. "It's really great support for our team this season. Maybe we didn't play great, but it's important for us because every time there is a full building, it's really cool to go on the ice. It doesn't matter how we play, fans say, 'Let's go CBJ!' 'Let's go Blue Jackets!' It's important. I just want to say thank you. For me, it's really important."
Erik Gudbranson played for seven teams before signing a four-year contract last offseason with the Blue Jackets. While his travels have seemingly taken him all over the NHL, he said he rarely saw fan support like he did this season in his first campaign with the Blue Jackets.
"That was hands down one of the most noticeable things for me," Gudbranson said. "I couldn't believe it. There were games that I thought there would be 4,000 people here, and they probably would have been right to do so. I didn't really expect it. I didn't really know too much about Columbus coming here, but I've played a lot of places, and the fans here are unbelievable. Truly unbelievable."
