Welcome to another installment of “So, You Want to be a Blue Jacket?
This series is presented in the form of a mock job interview. The operative word here is mock. We’re presenting these from the perspective of the player, as if they were applying for a job with the Jackets. The next player to go through the process is none other than sniper Rick Nash:
RICK NASH
Q) Hi Rick, tell us a little about yourself.
A) I was born in Brampton, Ontario on June 16, 1984. I played my minor hockey with the Toronto Marlboros, and went on to play two seasons of junior hockey with the London Knights. I was drafted by Columbus first overall in the 2002 draft. I’m a scoring winger who can play either side, but left wing is my natural position.
Q) Tell us about some intangibles you could bring to the Blue Jackets.
A) I have a real nose for the net, at every level I’ve put up high offensive numbers. I have above average size at 6’4″, 220 and I use it to break through the defense on the way to the net. I work hard in the corners, and I have a keen ability to find open teammates in the offensive zone. I am a quiet leader who inspires with my play.
Q) What areas of your game do you think you can improve on?
A )Sometimes I try to do everything myself. Late in games when we are down, I will often try to even things up personally, when I should be passing to the teammates who are left open due to the double-team that happens to me on the ice.
Q) Can you give us some examples of your hockey accomplishments?
- A)I was named OHL rookie of the year in 2001. In 2002 I was a member of Team Canada at the World Juniors, winning a silver medal. I was the first-overall pick in the NHL draft that year as well. In my rookie season of 2002/2003 I made the NHL All-Rookie team. The following year I broke out with 41 goals, sharing the Rocket Richard trophy with Jarome Iginla and Ilya Kovalchuk. In 2005 I won a silver medal as a member of Team Canada’s entry at the World Championship. I followed that up by being a member of Team Canada at the 2006 Olympics, and in 2007 at the Worlds I was named tournament MVP. I was awarded the NHL Foundation Player Award in 2009 for my charity work, and in 2010 I won a gold medal with Canada at the Olympics.