Blue Jackets pull no surprise naming Boone Jenner captain: 'He was the obvious choice' - The Columbus Dispatch

Gritty, versatile forward becomes seventh player in franchise history to gain the coveted 'C' on his jersey, taking over a role vacated by Nick Foligno.

The Blue Jackets have a new captain.

After an offseason of debate about which player would get Nick Foligno’s vacated ‘C’ attached to his jersey, the answer Tuesday should’ve surprised nobody who’s followed the team the past eight years. Boone Jenner, going into his ninth season NHL season as a Blue Jacket, will now wear it as the team’s seventh captain in franchise history.

Zach Werenski, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Gustav Nyquist will each wear an ‘A’ as alternate captains, rounding out the team’s letter-bearing leadership group.

"One of the first questions was, 'Does the team need a captain?' And I felt like it did," coach Brad Larsen said. "We do have a young group, and you start looking at the guys we have … I go to where you started. Boone is the obvious guy. He embodies who the Blue Jackets are and what we want to represent, not just as a player but as an individual."

Larsen said the final decision happened Tuesday before practice, after consulting with his staff and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.

"There are a lot of layers to this, but Boone checks so many boxes, there’s no question," Larsen said. "I’ve known him for a long time. He knows the city inside and out, and he knows the team inside and out ... it came to the point where he’s the guy."

Jenner, 28, joined the franchise as a second-round pick in 2011, selected 37th overall. He made his NHL debut two years later and has been a lineup fixture ever since. As a player, he brings a mix of hustle, grit, physicality and unwavering drive that has helped him climb the ranks of all-time statistical leaders in franchise history.

Jenner, an alternate captain the past six years, ranks among the top 10 career leaders for the team with 1,290 hits (second), 1,261 shots (third), 121 goals (fourth), 20 game-winning goals (fourth), 240 points (sixth) and 21 power-play goals (eighth).

He has also averaged 16:36 in ice time over 530 regular-season games and has scored double-figure goals in six full NHL seasons. He posted 30-plus points in four straight seasons (2015-19), added 8-9-17 in 41 games last season and could be in store for a big year ahead with an increased role following the departures of Cam Atkinson and Nick Foligno.

He's currently playing the net-front spot on the top power-play unit and scored three goals in the preseason, two on power plays.

"I just want to first and foremost lead by example," said Jenner, who signed a four-year contract extension July 28 that kicks in next year. "I take pride in that, setting an example for our team. You have to make sure you’re taking care of your game first and foremost. So, make sure you’re putting everything into your game you can, and then (expect) it out of your teammates and (push) each other."

Jenner joins Foligno, Rick Nash (2008-12), Adam Foote (2005-08), Luke Richardson (2003-05), Ray Whitney (2002-03) and Lyle Odelein (2000-02) in wearing the ‘C for the Blue Jackets. He was also captain of his junior team, the Ontario Hockey League’s Oshawa Generals, for two years.

Werenski, Bjorkstrand and Nyquist have become integral parts of the Blue Jackets’ core group as well, all signing long-term contracts to stay in Columbus while others departed as free agents.

Neither of the three have worn letters as NHL players.

"I’m super honored," Bjorkstrand said. "This club has invested in me and they see me as a big part of the team, and obviously giving me an ‘A’ ... it says a lot. So, I’m really excited about it. I feel a little extra pressure now to be a leader out there and be a guy players can look up to.”

Werenski already felt that way.

"Now that I have an ‘A’ on my jersey, nothing’s gonna change," said the Jackets' top defenseman, who signed a six-year, $57.5 million contract extension in July. "I’m going to go out there and play my game, and help this team win. But I’m excited for it. It’s a good day for all of us.”

That includes those without a letter on their sweater, who will still be looked at leaders.

Jakub Voracek, for example, nearly got an 'A' from Larsen despite just rejoining his original franchise July 24 in trade that sent Cam Atkinson to Philadelphia.

"We have more than just the guys wearing the letters," Nyquist said. "We have more leaders in that room, especially with 'Jake' coming in too. We have a great group of guys in there and we’re excited to get things started here.”

The Blue Jackets open the season Thursday at Nationwide Arena against the Arizona Coyotes and host the expansion Seattle Kraken on Saturday.

bhedger@dispatch.com

@BrianHedger

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