Columbus Blue Jackets Season Preview
As the Columbus Blue Jackets prepare for the upcoming season, excitement builds with only 39 days remaining until the opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we delve into the notable players who have worn the team’s jersey number 39 throughout its history.
Notable Players Wearing Number 39
Mike Pandolfo (2003-04)
Drafted in the third round of the 1998 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, Pandolfo was acquired by the Blue Jackets during the 2002 NHL Draft. His time with Columbus was brief, as he participated in just three games, failing to score any points. Most of his professional career was spent with the Syracuse Crunch before retiring in 2008. He is the brother of NHL veteran Jay Pandolfo, who currently coaches Boston University.
Steven Goertzen (2006-07)
Selected in the seventh round of the 2002 NHL Draft, Goertzen played for the Blue Jackets between 2005 and 2007, appearing in 46 games without registering any points. After moving to Europe in 2011, he continued pursuing hockey until his retirement in 2015, also taking on a player-coach role in England. Since 2019, Goertzen has served as the Director of Player Development for the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds.
Greg Moore (2009-10)
A fifth-round pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, Moore had a brief stint with the Blue Jackets in which he played four games and did not score. After being traded to Columbus by the Islanders in 2010, Moore returned to Columbus on another trade in 2011. Following a career in Europe until 2015, he transitioned to coaching. Moore now leads the U.S. National U-17 Team and has prior coaching experience with the USHL’s Chicago Steel and the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
Michael Chaput (2014-16)
The third-round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 was traded to the Blue Jackets in April 2012, subsequently signing a three-year entry-level contract. Chaput played 58 games for Columbus, collecting eight points primarily with the Springfield Falcons and Lake Erie Monsters. Upon becoming a free agent in 2016, he joined the Vancouver Canucks, and has also played for the Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes, before moving to the KHL. Chaput is currently playing in the La Ligue nord-américaine de hockey (LNAH) for the Québec National.
Tyler Angle (2023-24)
Recently drafted in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Draft, Angle turned professional in 2020, seeing most of his action with the Monsters. His participation with the Blue Jackets has been limited to four games yielding just one point. After his tenure with Columbus, Angle moved to Germany where he played for Düsseldorfer EG last season. His future team for the 2025-26 season has yet to be announced.
Upcoming Events
With anticipation building ahead of the season, the Blue Jackets are set to participate in the 2025 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo from September 11 to 14, where they will face the New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Training camp starts on September 18, progressing into the pre-season where rookies will be evaluated and roster cuts will commence. Key pre-season match-ups include contests against the St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres, and Washington Capitals, ensuring fans have numerous opportunities to watch the team prior to the regular season.
Stay tuned for further updates and analyses as the Columbus Blue Jackets gear up for another thrilling hockey season!
