2002–03 Columbus Blue Jackets season

NHLTeamSeason
Season=2002–03
Team=Columbus Blue Jackets
Conference=Western
ConferenceRank=15th
Division=Central
DivisionRank=5th
Record=29–42–8–3
HomeRecord=20–14–5–2
RoadRecord=9–28–3–1
GoalsFor=213
GoalsAgainst=263
GeneralManager=Doug MacLean
Coach=Dave King
Doug MacLean
Captain=Ray Whitney
AltCaptain=
Arena=Nationwide Arena
Attendance=17,744
GoalsLeader=Geoff Sanderson (34)
AssistsLeader=Ray Whitney (52)
PointsLeader=Ray Whitney (76)
PlusMinusLeader=
PIMLeader=Jody Shelley (249)
WinsLeader=Marc Denis (27)
GAALeader=Marc Denis (3.09)

The 2002–03 Columbus Blue Jackets season was the Blue Jackets' 3rd season in the NHL, as the team was coming off of a 22–47–8–5 record in the 2001–02 season, earning 57 points, finishing in last place in the Western Conference.

The Jackets would get off to a good start, having a 7–5–1–1 record in their opening 14 games, however, Columbus would win only 2 of their next 12 games, and fall out of the playoff picture. The club would play mediocre hockey for the rest of the season, finishing with a 29–42–8–3 record, earning 69 points, and in last place in the Western Conference for the 2nd straight season. Midway through the season, Columbus fired head coach Dave King after a 14–20–4–2 start. King was replaced with general manager Doug MacLean, as the Blue Jackets would post a record of 15–22–4–1 record under his guidance. The 69 points was a 12 point improvement over the previous season, but, the club finished 23 points behind the Edmonton Oilers for the final playoff spot in the Conference. The previous season, the Blue Jackets scored a league low 164 goals, however, the team would beat that total by 49 goals, finishing with a club record 213 goals. Columbus though led the league in goals against, allowing 263, also a club record.

Ray Whitney would lead the club in points for the 2nd straight season, earning a club record 76 points, as he scored 24 goals and 52 assists. Geoff Sanderson rebounded from an injury plagued 2001–02 season to score a club record 34 goals, while Andrew Cassels would earn 68 points in his 1st season in Columbus. David Vyborny had a breakout season, scoring 20 goals and 46 points. On the blueline, Jaroslav Spacek scored 9 goals and earned 45 points in his 1st full season with the team. Jody Shelley led the team with 249 penalty mintues, setting a franchise record.

In goal, Marc Denis got the bulk of the action, winning a club record 27 games, while posting a 3.09 GAA, and earning 5 shutouts along the way.

eason standings

Goaltending

Draft picks

Columbus' draft picks at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft:

References

* [http://www.shrpsports.com SHRP Sports]
* [http://www.hockeydb.com The Internet Hockey Database]
*National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007