Rick Nash

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Lore & Background

After being selected first overall in the 2002 NHL entry draft by Columbus, Nash played 15 seasons in the NHL for the Blue Jackets, New York Rangers and Boston Bruins. He was selected to play in six National Hockey League All-Star Games. Prior to turning professional, Nash played two seasons with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), earning the Emms Family Award in 2001 as the League's Rookie of the Year. He began his NHL career with the Blue Jackets in 2002–03 and was nominated for the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year. In his second NHL season, Nash scored 41 goals to tie with Jarome Iginla and Ilya Kovalchuk as winners of the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy. Nash is a six-time NHL All-Star and was awarded the NHL Foundation Player Award in the 2008–09 season. He is the Blue Jackets franchise career leader in goals, points, and games played. Nash's number 61 was retired by the franchise in 2022. Internationally, Nash has represented Team Canada, winning one gold and two silver medals at the World Championships, and two gold medals at the Winter Olympics in 2010 and 2014. He also represented Canada at the 2002 World Junior Championships, helping the team to a silver medal, and competed for Canada in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere shifted on January 17, 2008, when Nash delivered what commentators hailed as the "goal of the year." With the score tied against the Phoenix Coyotes in the final minute, Nash deked around two defenders and the goaltender to net the game-winner. This spectacular play earned him an ESPY Award nomination for Best Play. Moments like this defined his career, blending elite skill with clutch performance. In the 2008 All-Star Game, he showcased his speed by scoring the quickest goal in history at just 12 seconds into the match, eventually securing a hat-trick to end the game. Later that season, on March 7, 2009, Nash etched his name deeper into hockey lore against the Detroit Red Wings. He scored three unassisted goals in an 8–2 victory, a feat not seen since Maurice Richard accomplished it in 1948. These specific moments captured the essence of Nash's game: a blend of individual brilliance and historic significance that resonated deeply with fans.

Reader's Guide

Nash was raised in Brampton, Ontario, where he attended Brampton Centennial Secondary School. He played minor hockey in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) and played in the 1998 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Toronto Marlboros. He played major junior hockey for the London Knights for two seasons, recording 66 points in his first year and 72 points in 54 games in his second. He was selected first overall in the 2002 NHL entry draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. His first NHL contract was negotiated by Gord Kirke and was valued at 1.2 million USD per season plus bonuses. Nash debuted on October 10, 2002, scoring a goal in a 2–1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. He was nominated for the Calder Trophy but lost to Barret Jackman. In his second season, he scored 41 goals and tied for the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Nash played for HC Davos of the Swiss Nationalliga A, winning the Swiss Championship and the 2004 Spengler Cup. He re-signed with Columbus to a five-year, $27 million contract in 2005–06. Injuries limited him to 54 games that season. In 2006–07, he was named to the Western Conference All-Star Team. On January 17, 2008, he scored a notable game-winning goal against the Phoenix Coyotes. He was selected to his third All-Star Game in 2008 and scored a hat-trick. On March 12, 2008, he was named the fifth captain in Blue Jackets history. In 2008–09, he led the Blue Jackets to their first playoff appearance, scoring 79 points. He signed an eight-year contract extension worth $62.4 million in July 2009. After a poor start to the 2011–12 season, trade rumors circulated, and Nash was traded to the New York Rangers along with Steven Delisle and a conditional third-round pick for Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon, and a 2013 first-round draft pick. During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Nash signed to play for HC Davos again but injured his shoulder.

Did You Know?

• Nash was the youngest player in NHL history to lead the league in goals, at age 19.
• He scored the quickest goal in NHL All-Star Game history, just 12 seconds into the 2008 game.
• Nash's number 61 was retired by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022.

Franchise Icon and Statistical Legacy

Richard Nash is the Columbus Blue Jackets' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played. Drafted first overall in 2002, he was nominated for the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year in his debut season (2002–03) and joined the NHL All-Rookie Team. In his second season, at age 19, he scored 41 goals to tie Jarome Iginla and Ilya Kovalchuk for the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the league's leading goal-scorer, becoming the youngest player in history to lead the League in goals. He was named the team's fifth captain on March 12, 2008, replacing Adam Foote. Under his leadership, the Blue Jackets earned their first-ever playoff berth in 2009 as the seventh seed in the Western Conference. Nash received the NHL Foundation Player Award in the 2008–09 season for his charitable work in the Columbus community.

International Glory with Team Canada

Rick Nash represented Team Canada at multiple international tournaments. He competed at the 2002 World Junior Championships, helping the team win a silver medal. He also played for Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and won two gold medals at the Winter Olympics in 2010 and 2014. Additionally, he earned one gold and two silver medals at the World Championships.

Defining Moments and Historic Plays

On October 10, 2002, Nash scored a goal in his NHL debut against the Chicago Blackhawks, becoming the eighth number-one overall pick to score in their first game. On January 17, 2008, he scored a game-winning goal against the Phoenix Coyotes in the final minute by deking around two defenders and the goaltender; this play was nominated for an ESPY Award for Best Play. In the 2008 All-Star Game, Nash scored the quickest goal in history at just 12 seconds and finished with a hat-trick. On March 7, 2009, he scored three unassisted goals against the Detroit Red Wings, a feat not seen since Maurice Richard in 1948.

Early Development and Professional Transition

Nash played two seasons with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), earning the Emms Family Award as Rookie of the Year in 2001. He recorded 66 points in his first OHL season and 72 points in 54 games during his second. Following his draft, he signed a lucrative rookie contract with Columbus valued at $1.2 million USD per season plus bonuses ranging from $8 to $12 million. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Nash played for HC Davos in the Swiss Nationalliga A (NLA), scoring 26 goals and 46 points in 44 games. He helped Davos win the Swiss Championship and the 2004 Spengler Cup.