Grace Weidenhamer is the Blue Jackets journalism intern for the 2021-22 season and a junior at Otterbein University.
When Rick Nash became the first overall pick in the 2002 NHL draft at only 18 years old, many of his soon-to-be diehard fans either hadn't even been born yet or were too young to know what hockey was.
I remember when I first became a Blue Jackets fan -- because I was finally old enough to comprehend what sports were -- my parents took my brother and I to a Nash meet and greet.
Nash's impact lives on even among younger generations
Almost 10 years since he last played for the Blue Jackets, Nash remains an inspiration
We showed up in our Blue Jackets jerseys and our hands full of memorabilia in the hopes we could get his autograph. As a kid, anyone you see on TV is a big star, so it was crazy to see our favorite hockey player sitting right in front of us.
My brother and I credit Nash as the reason we became Blue Jackets fans as kids. He was so exciting to see that you couldn't help but watch the games.
READ MORE: Follow Nash's career and share your own memories at CBJ61.com
Nash was patient and enthusiastic meeting everyone who had lined up that day. You could tell he didn't view himself as a big celebrity, but rather a guy who loved what he did and valued being a part of the community.
Nash's legacy began when he became the youngest player in the league and continued throughout his career. His success turned heads toward Columbus hockey as he became a franchise leader, an All-Star, an Olympic gold medalist and a World Championships MVP, but these accomplishments aren't all that made him a champion.
Growing up in Columbus in the 2000s, it was easy to idolize the most popular Blue Jacket, not just because of his status, but rather because of his impact on the community and Columbus hockey culture as a whole.
Nash especially had an impact on youth hockey players and fans in the community. Columbus native and former AAA Blue Jackets player Austin Knupp, now 18, remembers watching Nash as a kid and looking up to him as a role model.
"He was loved all around the city," Knupp said. "People wanted to go to the games so they could see him play. I think he was the one person who got kids from the Columbus area to play the sport. When you ask kids around here who their favorite childhood player was, they would say Rick Nash."
Until the Blue Jackets arrived, besides Ohio State athletics, Columbus was not viewed as a big-time sports city. It wasn't until Nash became a nationally and internationally known professional athlete from Columbus that the city was put on the map.
#CBJ61: How 61 became 61 | Nash helped build Columbus hockey | His top 10 moments
Nash made frequent and generous appearances in the community. The kindness and graciousness he showed to his young fans brought big-time hockey to life. The guy kids would see on TV playing and hear being talked about nationally was a real person who lived in the community and cared about them.
"I think that Rick Nash has had a huge impact on not only hockey in Columbus, but hockey in the entire state of Ohio," 18-year-old Olentangy Orange High School hockey alumnus Payton Muth said. "He was a very charitable person and seemed to help Columbus whenever he could. He was the face of the Blue Jackets for a long time and made the sport of hockey explode in Columbus, which has helped the growth of the sport immensely."
Having a big-time celebrity in the area was a dream to young hockey fans. At every meet-and-greet or autograph signing, kids would line up, no matter the wait, to meet their favorite hockey player.
Nash knew he was a big deal, but he wanted to be remembered for more than just how he performed on the ice, which is one reason why his No. 61 will be retired tomorrow night.
"If future generations look up at the 61, I hope they can kind of learn a story of what I tried to do to grow the game in Columbus and what I tried to do on the ice each night," Nash said, "which was to bring a good effort and excitement for our fans."
Nash's dedication and love for this team and its city is obvious, as he came back to Columbus after his retirement to work in the front office under general manager Jarmo Kekalainen. Even after all these years since Nash has played in Columbus, his legacy has shaped the lives of his fans, former teammates, and current Blue Jackets because of his passion for Columbus hockey.
Fans of every generation have a lot to thank Nash for. Not only did he help turn Columbus into a hockey powerhouse, but he helped bring the city and community together around the sport. Nash's legacy will live on and inspire generations of hockey fans, players, and the city of Columbus for years to come.
