Blue Jackets to retire Nash's No. 61

No. 61 is heading to the Nationwide Arena rafters.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will retire Rick Nash's number March 5, the club announced Thursday.

Nash will become the first player in franchise history to receive the honor.

"Rick Nash was the face of our franchise and our best player for a decade and represented our club on and off the ice with excellence, class, and humility," Blue Jackets owner John P. McConnell said. "No one is more deserving of this honor than he, and we are looking forward to celebrating Rick and his family in what will be a historic and memorable night for all of us on March 5."

The Blue Jackets drafted Nash with the first overall pick in 2002. A five-time All-Star during his time in Columbus, he's the franchise's all-time leader in games played (674), goals (289), assists (258), and points (547). Nash also served as the team's captain from 2008-2012.

"This is incredibly exciting, not only for Rick and his family but for our entire organization and our great fans," Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson said. "Only one player can be the first to have their jersey retired by a franchise, and with everything that Rick has meant to the Blue Jackets, it is fitting that he is the one."

Nash shared the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy in 2003-04 as a 19-year-old by tying for the league lead with 41 goals. The 6-foot-4 power forward went on to score at least 30 goals in six of the following seven seasons with the Blue Jackets before they traded him to the New York Rangers in 2012.

The 37-year-old currently serves as Columbus' director of player development after he ended his playing career in 2018.