How a Columbus Hockey Team Became the First to Sweep a Presidents' Trophy Winner

Cultures · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Columbus Blue Jackets, an NHL expansion franchise established in 2000, spent nearly two decades struggling to find their footing. Yet, in 2019, they achieved a historic milestone by sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning, the league's top regular-season team, marking the first playoff series victory in the organization's history.

The Blue Jackets were born from a 1997 NHL expansion bid, bolstered by a private guarantee from investor John H. McConnell to build a $150-million arena after a public referendum failed. The team's identity, including its name and logos, draws directly from Ohio's contributions to the American Civil War. Despite this civic foundation, the franchise faced immediate challenges, failing to win 30 games in a single season until 2005–06. Early years were defined by roster instability and the tragic 2002 death of a young spectator, Brittanie Cecil, which prompted the NHL to mandate protective netting in all arenas.

The team's trajectory shifted through aggressive management and coaching changes. After years of missing the playoffs, the arrival of goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and the leadership of coach John Tortorella helped stabilize the club. The 2016–17 season proved particularly transformative, as the team set a franchise record with 108 points and embarked on a 16-game winning streak, the second-longest in NHL history. Tortorella also became the first American-born head coach to reach 500 career wins during this period.

The 2019 playoffs represented the pinnacle of the team's efforts, as they swept the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round. This victory was a stark contrast to their 2009 debut, where they were swept by the Detroit Red Wings. Despite this success, the franchise remains one of only three teams in the league that has yet to appear in a conference final. Following the 2019 season, the team faced a significant roster exodus, losing key players like Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin to free agency, illustrating the constant cycle of rebuilding that has characterized much of the team's history.

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