This blog is dedicated to the Columbus Blue Jackets of Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.
The name of this site, Camp Chase, is shared with a military training, staging and prison camp during the American Civil War that was located about three miles west of Nationwide Arena. The camp was named for Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, 1861-1864, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, 1864-1873. Chase was also featured on the $10,000 bill, printed from 1928 until 1946.
As many as 150,000 Ohioan soldiers and officers as well as 25,000 Confederate prisoners passed through Camp Chase during the war. Of those 25,000 prisoners of war, more than 2,000 remain at rest on the grounds, which can be visited 8am to 5pm daily, 2900 Sullivant Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. Ohio Historical Markers 25, 26 and 27 are located at points of interest at the former camp.
I am a fourth year mechanical engineering student at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. I've lived in Columbus my entire life. Ohio State football has been the main focus of my sporting life (I've been a member of the OSU Marching Band, The Best Damn Band In The Land since 2004), though I am a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates and grew up as a Pittsburgh Penguins fan. I became a fan of the Jackets after attending a game in their inaugural year. My interest waned during the season that shall not be named, and after a season or so of courtship, my fandom has had a new dawn. I try to attend two home games per month (more if possible) and watch as many as possible on TV (and listen to un-televised games through http://bluejackets.nhl.com/).
As a child I attended two Penguins games in the igloo. Starting in 2000, I attended a couple games a year in Nationwide Arena, always with my parents and brother. The season after the lockout I was living in Ann Arbor, Michigan, working an engineering co-op, more or less boycotting the NHL, until my brother and I went to a Blue Jackets game in Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, home of the Red Wings. The game was a great 1-1 draw that went to shootout. Throughout the night, Blue Jacket Centerman, and former Red Wing Sergei Fedorov was mercilessly booed by his former fans. As the Blue Jackets fifth shooter, amid a torrent of boos, Fedorov buried his shot for the win. That day marked my rebirth as a Blue Jackets fan.
In 2006-2007 season, the Blue Jackets instituted a student ticket price, whereas college and high school students can purchased unsold upper bowl tickets for $15 and similar lower bowl tickets for $25. This has fueled my fandom and driven to near madness -- excellent.
Thus far in the 2007-2008 season, I've attended eight games, Sept. 27 - Hurricanes (L 0-3 Pre-season), Oct. 5 - Ducks (W 4-0), Oct. 21 - Canucks (L 1-4), Nov. 12 - Predators (L 1-4), Nov. 24 - Red Wings (W 3-2 SO), Dec. 3 - Stars (L 1-2 SO), Dec. 5 - Avalanche (W 5-4), Dec. 26 - Thrashers (W 2-0), Dec. 31 - Oilers (W 4-2).
