The "C" has a new home in Columbus.
The Blue Jackets named Boone Jenner the seventh captain in team history on Tuesday morning, two days before the start of their 2021-22 season.
Jenner, 28, follows Lyle Odelein (2000-02), forward Ray Whitney (2002-03), defenseman Luke Richardson (2003-05), defenseman Adam Foote (2005-08), forward Rick Nash (2008-12) and forward Nick Foligno (2015-21) as team captains.
He's served as an alternate captain since the 2015-16 Blue Jackets season and is one of the most respected players to come through the capital city in some time. Known as a relentless worker and quiet leader, Jenner now steps into the lead role for a young team that has plenty to prove after a wave of offseason departures – including veterans like Foligno, Seth Jones and former head coach John Tortorella.
The choice was obvious https://t.co/NA9bmgEcQW pic.twitter.com/Le6WcIzMBa
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 12, 2021
The Blue Jackets also announced Zach Werenski, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Gus Nyquist as full-time alternate captains, forming what's essentially an entirely new leadership group.
"We had a lot of discussions as a coaching staff and with management and, while we were in no rush to make a decision regarding the next captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, it became obvious to all of us that Boone was the right choice," Blue Jackets head coach Brad Larsen said in a statement. "He has tremendous character and a work ethic that has earned the respect of his teammates and he's been an important part of our leadership group for several years. Zach, Gus and Oliver also have been part of that group and we are fortunate to have these guys lead our team."
Jenner has scored double-digit goals in all six of his full NHL campaigns, recorded 30-plus points in four-straight seasons from 2015-19. He previously served as captain of the Oshawa Generals during his final two Ontario Hockey League seasons in 2011-12 and 2012-13.
