Former Blue Jacket Rick Nash thanks fans in newspaper ad

Columbus, OH, United States (4E Sports) – Former Columbus Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash thanked fans for their support via a full-page newspaper advertisement.

In an advertisement published by Columbus Dispatch, Nash thanked fans “for the unwavering support you have shown me over the past nine seasons.”

“I am so fortunate to have had the chance to call Columbus home and to say proudly that I am from the Buckeye state. Thanks for the Memories. Thanks for everything,” added Nash.

After nine seasons, the Blue Jackets recently traded Nash to the New York Rangers for forwards Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov, as well as defenseman Tim Erixon and a 2013 first-round draft pick

The No. 1 pick in the 2002 draft, Nash has scored 289 goals and 547 points in 674 regular-season games since joining the Blue Jackets out of junior hockey in 2002-03. His 231 goals since the end of the 2004-05 lockout ranks sixth in the league over the last seven seasons.

He is the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (674), goals (289), assists (258), game-winning goals (44), shorthanded goals (14), hat-tricks (5) and power play goals (83).

Nash scored a career-high 41 goals in 2003-4 at age 19, becoming the youngest goal-scoring leader in NHL history. Last season he notched 30 goals and 29 assists for 59 points in 82 games.

But Nash has played only four postseason games, all in 2009, when the Blue Jackets reached the playoffs for the first time but were swept by Detroit in the opening round.

“He’s been a great player for us. We will be forever grateful, but we’re moving on now,” said Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson after the trade. “The trade brings us the right balance we were seeking in any trade for Rick.”

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