Blue Jackets' History With The 4th Overall Pick
The Columbus Blue Jackets will pick fourth overall for the fourth time in franchise history this June.
The Columbus Blue Jackets earned the right to select fourth in this year’s NHL Draft, something they’ve done a few times before. Some have been more successful than others, but all three players the Blue Jackets have selected at that spot have gone on to be legitimate NHLers.
Rostislav Klesla
With the first selection in the organization’s history, the Blue Jackets selected Rostislav Klesla fourth overall in the 2000 NHL Draft. Coming out of the draft, it was clear what you were getting from the Czech defenseman. With the Brampton Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League in his draft year, he had a total of 174 penalty minutes. The physical, defensive defenseman was a great addition to the young franchise who needed to make their presence felt one way or another. His limited offensive production didn’t make him the most exciting player, however he was effective nonetheless. He would go on to spend parts of ten seasons with the Blue Jackets, before being traded to the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2010-11 season.
The biggest issue with him over the years, specifically in the back half of his career was injuries. In his final two full seasons with the Blue Jackets, he played 34 games in 2008-09 and only 26 the following season. Prior to being traded during the 2010-11 season, he had played 45 before the deal was made and finished the season with a total of 61 games played. He’d go on to retire from the NHL following the 2013-14 season to head to his native Czechia after spending some time in the American Hockey League.
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