With 18 days to go until opening night at Nationwide Arena, jersey No. 18 has had a pretty varied run through Blue Jackets history. The number has been worn by grinders, short-term fill-ins, and one of the more notable names in the franchise’s recent past.
Robert Kron was the first name on the list, and his Columbus stint came with one of the strangest moments in CBJ history. He played 118 games for the Jackets from 2000 to 2002 after being drafted by Vancouver in 1985.
In March 2001, Kron broke his ankle when he fell over awkwardly after taking a puck to the face. He never played another NHL game after leaving Columbus, and today he is the Director of Amateur Scouting for the Seattle Kraken.
Komarniski’s time in Columbus was brief, too. He appeared in two games for the Jackets in 03-04 and finished without a point.
He never played another NHL game after that and retired in 2007. He is now a youth coach in Canada.
Geoff Platt got his turn in 2006 as an undrafted player out of Toronto, Ontario. He skated in 41 games for Columbus and put up 14 points.
After five games with Anaheim in 07-08, he headed to Europe and played there until retiring in 2023. These days, he serves as a Development Coach for the Tappara U20 team in Finland.
R.J. Umberger wore No. 18 from 2009 to 2014 after being drafted by Vancouver in 2001. He is now the Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach for the Columbus Chill 18U AA.
David Clarkson’s Columbus stay came in 2015, when the undrafted Etobicoke, Ontario native played 26 games before a serious back injury changed the course of his career. His contract was then traded twice before he officially retired.
After his playing days, Clarkson remained in the Columbus area and coached the Upper Arlington High School Hockey Team for a season. Now, he owns the NAHL’s Colorado Grit, a Tier II junior team based in Greeley, Colorado.
The Grit will not participate in league competition during the upcoming season, per the NAHL, but could return next season. For 26-27, Clarkson will be an asst. coach for the Okanagan HA Colorado 15U AAA.
Rene Bourque followed in 2016, coming to Columbus as an undrafted player from Lac La Biche, Alberta. He played 57 games over two seasons and finished with 7 goals and 12 points. After signing in Colorado for the 16-17 season, he spent one year in Sweden before retiring.
Pierre-Luc Dubois is the biggest name in the group. The former No. 3 overall pick by Columbus in 2016 wore No. 18 from 2018 to 2020 and played 239 games for the Jackets, piling up 159 points.
He was traded to the Washington Capitals in 2024 from the LA Kings and is trying to get his career back on track. Washington is his fourth team since 2021.
In 24-25 with the Caps, Dubois posted career highs in assists with 46 and points with 66, though last season he was limited to 29 games because of injury.
The most recent Jacket to wear No. 18 was Lane Pederson in 2023. The undrafted Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native was claimed off waivers in 2022-23 and played 16 games for Columbus, recording three points. Last season, he suited up for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL and had 48 points in 63 games.
There are 18 days left until opening night at Nationwide Arena.
In Other News...
Blue Jackets Still Have A Blue Line Need Worth Watching
The Blue Jackets have added another experienced body to the blue line mix, signing defenseman Carson Soucy to a professional tryout agreement as they continue sorting out their defense before the preseason gets rolling against Detroit. Soucy, 32, spent last season with both the Rangers and Islanders and got into 76 games, giving Columbus a veteran option to evaluate in camp without making a long-term commitment.
For a team still looking to settle its defensive picture, the tryout gives Soucy a clear opening to show he belongs in the mix. The preseason will be about more than just getting work in, too, because roster spots are still very much up for grabs and the Blue Jackets have a specific competition to watch as they decide how their back end should come together. [Read more 🡒]
Adam Fantilli Contract Talks Are Still Hanging Over Blue Jackets Camp
Chris Kreiders move to Montreal and Mark Stones new deal in Vegas have already provided a little late-summer roster movement around the league, but in Columbus the most important business remains unfinished. Adam Fantilli and the Blue Jackets are still working through contract talks, a process that has stretched into the final days before camp and left one of the franchises key young pieces without a signed agreement.
The expectation inside the organization is still that the sides can get something done before Wednesdays opening of training camp, which is the point the Blue Jackets are trying to hit. Even so, the lack of a finished deal keeps Fantillis status as one of the lingering storylines of camp week, with both sides still looking to close the gap before the season gets moving. [Read more 🡒]
Blue Jackets Face Growing Adam Fantilli Pressure Before Camp
Training camp is creeping closer, and the Blue Jackets still do not have an extension in place for Adam Fantilli, despite Don Waddells earlier optimism that something could get done before players report. Fantilli is one of the biggest pieces of Columbus long-term plan, which is why the contract watch has become such a prominent subplot around the team as the offseason winds down.
There has reportedly been little, if any, progress in talks, and the numbers being floated around the league suggest why this could take some time. Fantillis side is believed to be aiming for a deal along the lines of Leo Carlsson and Connor Bedard, two 2023 draftees taken ahead of him, while the Blue Jackets are working with limited cap room of their own. A resolution is still expected before camp begins, but for now this is one more situation Columbus has to manage while trying to get ready for the season. [Read more 🡒]