Rick Nash

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This article is about the hockey player. For other people, see Richard Nash (disambiguation).

Rick Nash
Nash in 2012
Born (1984-06-16) June 16, 1984 (age 39)
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 219 lb (99 kg; 15 st 9 lb)
Position Left wing
Shot Left
Played for Columbus Blue Jackets
HC Davos
New York Rangers
Boston Bruins
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 1st overall, 2002
Columbus Blue Jackets
Playing career 2002–2018

Richard Nash (born June 16, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who serves as the director of player development for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). After being selected first overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by Columbus, he played 15 seasons in the NHL for the Blue Jackets, New York Rangers and Boston Bruins, and was selected to play in six National Hockey League All-Star Games.

Prior to turning professional, Nash was a highly regarded prospect with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) where he spent two seasons, earning the Emms Family Award in 2001 as the League's Rookie of the Year. He began his NHL career with the Blue Jackets immediately following his draft, in 2002–03, and was nominated for the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year. In his second NHL season, Nash scored 41 goals to tie with Jarome Iginla and Ilya Kovalchuk as winners of the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal-scorer. Nash is a five-time NHL All-Star and was also awarded the NHL Foundation Player Award in the 2008–09 season for his charitable work in the Columbus community. He is the all-time Blue Jackets franchise leader in goals, points, and games played. In 2022, Nash's number 61 was retired by the Blue Jackets.[1]

Internationally, Nash has represented Team Canada, with whom he has won one gold and two silver medals at the World Championships, and two gold medals at the Winter Olympics in 2010 and 2014. Additionally, he has represented Canada at the 2002 World Junior Championships, helping the team to a silver medal, and also competed for Canada in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

Background[edit]

Nash was raised in Brampton, Ontario, where he attended Brampton Centennial Secondary School.[2] He played minor hockey in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), where he caught the attention of OHL scouts in 1999.[citation needed] He played in the 1998 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Toronto Marlboros minor ice hockey team.[3]

Playing career[edit]

As a member of the London Knights for two seasons in the OHL, Rick Nash began his major junior career with 66 points in his first year, receiving the Emms Family Award as the League's top rookie. The following season, he amassed 72 points in 54 games and was subsequently selected first overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets.[citation needed]

Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–2012)[edit]

The first NHL contract for Nash was negotiated minutes before the signing deadline by Gord Kirke. It was the most lucrative contract for an NHL rookie at the time, valued at 1.2 million USD per season plus bonuses and incentives which ranged from 8 to US$12 million.[4]

Joining the Blue Jackets in 2002–03, Nash debuted on October 10, 2002, and scored a goal in a 2–1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. He was the eighth number one overall pick to score a goal in his first game and the first to do so in his draft year since Mario Lemieux in 1984.[5] That season, Nash was nominated for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie, but lost to defenseman Barret Jackman of the St. Louis Blues. He would, however, join Jackman on the NHL All-Rookie Team.[6]

In Nash's sophomore campaign, he improved his rookie goal total from 17 to 41, a career-high that tied Jarome Iginla and Ilya Kovalchuk for the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for most goals in the League. At 19 years of age, Nash was the youngest player in history to lead the League in goals.[5] Recording 16 assists, Nash finished the year with 57 points.[citation needed]

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Nash played for HC Davos of the Swiss Nationalliga A (NLA). He scored 26 goals and 46 points in 44 games and added 11 more points (nine goals and two assists) in 15 games in the NLA playoffs. Joined by fellow NHL-er Joe Thornton, Davos went on to win the Swiss Championship, as well as the 2004 Spengler Cup.[7]

Nash with the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2006–07 season

With the NHL set to resume play in 2005–06, the Blue Jackets re-signed Nash to a five-year, $27 million contract. The deal saw his annual salary increase each year, with $3.5 million the first season and $7 million in the last season of the contract for a $5.4 million average salary.[8] Knee and ankle injuries, however, sidelined Nash for much of the first half of the season. Missing 28 games total, Nash was still named to Team Canada for the 2006 Olympics, shortly after being activated from the injured reserve. Upon returning from a disappointing seventh-place finish in Turin, Nash completed the season at a point-per-game pace with 54 points in 54 games.[9]

In 2006–07, Nash matched his sophomore points total with 57, and was named to the Western Conference All-Star Team for the second time in his career. He was Columbus' lone representative both times. Nash scored the game-winning goal in the West win.[10]

The following season, on January 17, 2008, Nash scored what many commentators called the "goal of the year"[11] in the final minute versus the Phoenix Coyotes. Breaking a tied score, Nash deked around two defenders and the goaltender to score the eventual game-winner. Later, at the end of the season, the goal was nominated for an ESPY Award in the category of Best Play.[12] Selected to his third All-Star Game in 2008 that season, Nash scored the quickest goal in All-Star Game history, just 12 seconds in and ended the game with a hat-trick.[13]

Completing the season with 38 goals and 69 points, Nash nearly matched his personal best goals total and set a career high for points and assists. Shortly before the end of the season, on March 12, 2008, Nash was also named the fifth captain in Blue Jackets history, replacing the recently traded Adam Foote.[14]

In the off-season, in May 2008, Nash was named the cover athlete and spokesman for the NHL 2K9 video game.[15]

Nash was named captain of the Blue Jackets in 2008, maintaining the position until he was traded to the New York Rangers in 2012.

Going into the 2008–09 campaign, the Blue Jackets had gone without a playoff appearance in franchise history. Led by the newly appointed captain Nash and bolstered by rookie goaltender Steve Mason, the Blue Jackets finished the season as the seventh seed in the Western Conference to earn a post-season berth against division-rival the Detroit Red Wings. The series was preceded by an 8–2 rout over the Red Wings on March 7, 2009, a game in which Nash scored three unassisted goals.[16] According to the Columbus Dispatch, citing the Elias Sports Bureau, the last player to score three goals unassisted was Maurice Richard (who scored four) against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 14, 1948. Despite the convincing victory late in the season, the Blue Jackets were swept by the Red Wings in four games.[17]

In addition to leading the Blue Jackets to the playoffs, Nash had a career season with 79 points, in addition to scoring 40 goals for the first time since 2003–04. In the off-season, on July 3, 2009, Nash signed an eight-year contract extension with the Blue Jackets worth $62.4 million set to take effect in 2010–11.[18]

As the 2011–12 season began to unfold, Columbus recorded a dismal 2–12–1 record, the worst start to an NHL season by any team in 19 years.[19] With the team struggling, rumors began circulating that the Blue Jackets were contemplating trading Nash as a solution to their on-ice woes. While Blue Jackets General Manager Scott Howson stated publicly that he had had no discussions regarding a Nash deal, other teams had indeed inquired about his availability.[20] When asked about it, Nash stated that if the franchise felt it could improve itself by dealing him, he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause in order to get the deal done.[21] Though Howson had previously maintained that he had no intention of trading Nash, two weeks before the trade deadline, he stated in the press that the team was open to all options and they were willing to listen to trade proposals for Nash, despite not actively shopping him. Speculation was that in return for Nash the Blue Jackets would ask for a top six forward, a top prospect and a first-round draft pick.[22][23]

Trade speculation continued on into the summer with no deal imminent. While Howson claimed he merely wanted to receive "market value" in any deal for Nash, there was speculation that his asking price was too high for many rival NHL GMs to consider.[24] Columbus eventually found a trade partner in the New York Rangers. Nash, along with Steven Delisle and a conditional third-round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, were traded to the Rangers for Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon and a 2013 first-round draft pick.[25]

New York Rangers (2012–2018)[edit]

Nash signed a contract to play with HC Davos again during the 2012–13 NHL lockout.[26] In late September 2012, while playing for Davos, Nash injured his shoulder and left the game.

Nash during the 2012–13 season, his first with the New York Rangers.

Nash had a successful first regular season with the Rangers, scoring 21 goals and 21 assists for 42 points in 44 games played in the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season. However, in the playoffs, Nash underwhelmed with only one goal and four assists in 12 playoff games.[27]

Nash opened the 2013–14 season well, with three assists in two games. But on October 8, 2013, in a game against the San Jose Sharks, Nash suffered a concussion from a hit by Brad Stuart, which forced him to miss 17 games.[28] On November 21, Nash scored his first goal of the season in a 3–2 win against the Dallas Stars.[29] He would finish the season with a solid goal total of 26 in 65 games, but with only 13 assists, his 39 points tied a career low. Nash struggled mightily in the playoffs for the second straight year, scoring only three goals in 25 playoff games. Despite his low offensive production, however, he was solid defensively throughout, and the Rangers reached the Stanley Cup Finals, ultimately losing in five games to the Los Angeles Kings in a series in which all the games were close decisions.[30]

Nash had a superstar season in 2014–15 scoring a career-high 42 goals (third in the NHL behind Steven Stamkos with 43 and Alexander Ovechkin with 53) and 27 assists. Nash's production also improved during the 2015 playoffs, as he scored five goals and nine assists (14 points) in 19 games as the Rangers fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning in a hard-fought seven-game Eastern Conference Finals series.[31]

Nash's performance declined at the start of the 2015–16 season as he struggled to recapture his scoring pace from the previous season. This was further exacerbated by muscle spasms that caused Nash to miss 22 games. Despite being involved in trade rumors, few teams seemed to be interested in Rick Nash and his $7.9 million cap hit. Nash scored a career-low 15 goals, going with 21 assists for a career-low 36 points. He then recorded two goals and two assists in New York's five-game opening round loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs.[32]

On October 11, 2016 Nash was named an alternate captain for the New York Rangers, joining Daniel Girardi, Marc Staal, and Derek Stepan along with captain Ryan McDonagh.[33] On November 8, 2016, Nash scored his 400th goal in a 5–3 loss against the Vancouver Canucks.[34] Nash again missed several games during the 2016–17 season, this time with a nagging groin injury. He still managed to score 23 goals and 15 assists for 38 points, in 67 games. Nash's production continued to improve during the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs. He recorded two goals and one assist in the Rangers six-game opening-round victory over the Montreal Canadiens.[35]

On October 26, 2017, Nash skated in his 1,000th NHL career game, which resulted in a 5–2 win over the Arizona Coyotes. He became the 312th player in NHL history to play at least 1,000 career games.[36][37]

Boston Bruins (2018)[edit]

During the 2017–18 season, the Rangers struggled relative to their results from past seasons. On February 8, 2018, the team released a letter to fans that signaled intentions to begin a rebuild, to which rumors of a Nash trade began to swirl, as he was in the last year of his contract.[38] On February 25, 2018, one day before the trade deadline, Nash was traded to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Ryan Spooner, Matt Beleskey, prospect Ryan Lindgren, a 2018 first-round pick (which became Jacob Bernard-Docker), and a 2019 seventh-round pick (which became Massimo Rizzo).[39] Rick Nash's first goal as a Bruin, and his 800th career point, came on February 27, 2018, in a 4–3 overtime Bruins home ice win over the Carolina Hurricanes.[40] Nash would go on to play 23 games for the Bruins, and suffered a concussion in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, after a hit from Cedric Paquette.[41]

On January 11, 2019, at age 34, due to unresolved symptoms from a concussion sustained in March 2018, Nash was forced to retire from professional hockey after playing 1,060 career games spanning over 15 seasons.[42]

International play[edit]


Rick Nash with a gold medal during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Men's ice hockey
Olympic Winter Games
Gold medal – first place 2010 Vancouver
Gold medal – first place 2014 Sochi
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2007 Russia
Silver medal – second place 2005 Austria
Silver medal – second place 2008 Canada
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2002 Czech Republic

In Nash's second junior season, he was chosen to play for Team Canada's junior squad in the 2002 World Junior Championships, scoring three points in a silver medal effort.[43]

Rick Nash (#61, center) celebrates a goal against the United States during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Nash would make his senior international debut for Team Canada at the 2005 World Championship, leading the tournament in goals while earning his second silver medal.

In 2006, shortly after returning from an injury, he was selected to play on Team Canada's Olympic team, but managed just one point in a disappointing seventh-place finish.

The following year, Nash captured his first gold medal with Team Canada at the 2007 World Championship in a 4–2 victory over Finland in Moscow. Scoring two goals in the gold medal game against Finland and 11 points total, Nash was named to the tournament All-Star Team and earned MVP honours.

Nash appeared in his third World Championship in 2008, but failed to repeat as gold medal champion with Canada, earning silver. In the championship game against Russia, Nash attempted to clear the puck in overtime, but accidentally shot it over the glass, resulting a delay of game penalty. On the powerplay, Russia capitalized, defeating Canada 5–4. Despite his misplay, Nash was named to the tournament All-Star Team for the second consecutive year, finishing with 13 points.

On December 30, 2009, Nash was selected to play for Team Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.[44] After starting the tournament on Sidney Crosby's wing, he was switched to a line with Mike Richards and Jonathan Toews, who was named Best Forward. Nash earned his first Olympic medal in the tournament as Team Canada went on to win gold.

Nash was named captain of Team Canada for the 2011 IIHF World Championship. Canada finished fifth in the tournament.

Rick Nash won his second gold medal with Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Career statistics[edit]

Regular season and playoffs[edit]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1999–00 Toronto Marlboros AAA GTHL 34 61 54 115 34 — — — — —
1999–00 Milton Merchants OPJHL 1 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
2000–01 London Knights OHL 58 31 35 66 56 4 3 3 6 8
2001–02 London Knights OHL 54 32 40 72 88 12 10 9 19 21
2002–03 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 74 17 22 39 78 — — — — —
2003–04 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 80 41 16 57 87 — — — — —
2004–05 HC Davos NLA 44 27 20 47 83 15 9 2 11 26
2005–06 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 54 31 23 54 51 — — — — —
2006–07 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 75 27 30 57 73 — — — — —
2007–08 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 80 38 31 69 95 — — — — —
2008–09 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 78 40 39 79 52 4 1 2 3 2
2009–10 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 76 33 34 67 58 — — — — —
2010–11 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 75 32 34 66 34 — — — — —
2011–12 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 82 30 29 59 40 — — — — —
2012–13 HC Davos NLA 17 12 6 18 8 — — — — —
2012–13 New York Rangers NHL 44 21 21 42 26 12 1 4 5 0
2013–14 New York Rangers NHL 65 26 13 39 36 25 3 7 10 8
2014–15 New York Rangers NHL 79 42 27 69 36 19 5 9 14 4
2015–16 New York Rangers NHL 60 15 21 36 30 5 2 2 4 4
2016–17 New York Rangers NHL 67 23 15 38 26 12 3 2 5 4
2017–18 New York Rangers NHL 60 18 10 28 24 — — — — —
2017–18 Boston Bruins NHL 11 3 3 6 4 12 3 2 5 10
NHL totals 1,060 437 368 805 750 89 18 28 46 32

International[edit]

Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
2001 Canada Ontario U17 6 6 2 8 8
2002 Canada WJC 7 1 2 3 2
2005 Canada WC 9 9 6 15 8
2006 Canada OLY 6 0 1 1 10
2007 Canada WC 9 6 5 11 4
2008 Canada WC 9 6 7 13 6
2010 Canada OLY 7 2 3 5 0
2011 Canada WC 7 2 3 5 2
2014 Canada OLY 6 0 1 1 2
Junior totals 13 7 4 11 10
Senior totals 53 25 26 51 32

Awards[edit]

OHL

CHL

  • CHL All-Rookie Team – 2001

NHL

NLA

  • Best Swiss League forward – 2004–05

International

Other

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Nash has number retired by Blue Jackets". NHL.com. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  2. ^ Bambury, Beverly (January 11, 2019). "Brampton NHL Star and Olympian Rick Nash Retires at 34". Bramptonist. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  3. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  4. ^ Livesey, Bruce (January 25, 2006). "The champs' champion". Canadian Lawyer Magazine. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Columbus Blue Jackets – BLUE JACKETS RE-SIGN ALL-STAR RICK NASH TO FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT Columbus Blue Jackets
  6. ^ "NHL All-Rookie Teams". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  7. ^ "History". Spengler Cup Davos. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  8. ^ "Blue Jackets lock up Rick Nash". CBC. August 8, 2005. Retrieved July 26, 2009.
  9. ^ "Rick Nash Stats". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  10. ^ "NHL On-line ReportViewer". www.nhl.com. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  11. ^ Kevin Allen. Nash's picture-perfect goal is snapshot of talent. USA Today.
  12. ^ Columbus Blue Jackets – News: Nash Nominated for ESPY Award – 07/02/2008 Columbus Blue Jackets
  13. ^ Nash Trick[permanent dead link]. The Columbus Dispatch.
  14. ^ Columbus Blue Jackets (2008). "Rick Nash Named Columbus Blue Jackets Team Captain". Columbus Blue Jackets. Archived from the original on March 13, 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2008.
  15. ^ NHL 2K9 Cover Athlete Announcement Archived May 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Operation Sports
  16. ^ Game No. 66 The Columbus Dispatch.
  17. ^ "2009 NHL Western Conference Quarter-Finals: CBJ vs. DET". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  18. ^ "Nash inks 8-year deal with Blue Jackets". CBC. July 3, 2009. Retrieved July 26, 2009.
  19. ^ "Worst start in 19 years". Columbus Dispatch. November 12, 2011. Archived from the original on November 14, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  20. ^ Richardson, Lyle (November 21, 2011). "Rumor Roundup: Rick Nash tops many teams' wish lists". The Hockey News. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
  21. ^ Yerdon, Joe (January 5, 2012). "Rick Nash would waive his no-trade clause if Blue Jackets wanted to move him". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
  22. ^ Portzline, Aaron (February 15, 2012). "Now up for bidding: Nash". Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  23. ^ Zeisberger, Mike (February 14, 2012). "Nash to Leafs? Dream on: Price for Jackets forward sky high". The Toronto Sun. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  24. ^ NHL notes: No one's dashing to get Nash [1][usurped]
  25. ^ "Blue Jackets Ship Nash to Rangers in Blockbuster trade". TSN. July 23, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  26. ^ "Rick Nash Bolts for HC Davos of Swiss National League". Bleacher Report. September 18, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  27. ^ "Rick Nash". ESPN.com.
  28. ^ "Rick Nash back in Rangers' lineup". CBC.ca. November 19, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  29. ^ "Rick Nash Stats and News". NHL.com.
  30. ^ "L.A. Kings win 2014 Stanley Cup". CBS News. June 13, 2014. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  31. ^ Rohan, Tim (May 29, 2015). "Rangers Are Shut Out in Game 7 as Lightning Reach Finals". The New York Times. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  32. ^ Adamski, Chris (April 23, 2016). "Penguins Eliminate Nemesis Rangers in Game 5 Rout". The New York Times. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  33. ^ Rieber, Anthony (October 11, 2016). "Rick Nash named alternate captain for Rangers". newsday.com. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  34. ^ "Rick Nash scores 400th NHL goal". NHL.com. November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  35. ^ Compton, Brian (April 22, 2017). "Rangers eliminate Canadiens with Game 6 win". NHL.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  36. ^ Hartnett, Sean (October 27, 2017). "Hartnett: Days Before Halloween, Rangers Get Much-Needed Boost From Boo". CBS New York. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  37. ^ Rosen, Dan (October 24, 2017). "Nash of Rangers set to play 1,000th NHL game". NHL.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  38. ^ "A Message from Glen Sather and Jeff Gorton About Our Team". NHL. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  39. ^ "Bruins Acquire Rick Nash From Rangers". NHL.com. February 25, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  40. ^ Russo, Eric (February 28, 2018). "Newcomers Make Quite the First Impression". nhl.com/bruins. National Hockey League. Retrieved February 28, 2018. Like Wingels, Rick Nash did his part in his first game at TD Garden. After a strong debut in Buffalo - during which Nash fired five shots on goal and clanked another opportunity off the post - the former first overall pick finally cashed in midway through the first...DeBrusk forced Justin Faulk to lose control of the puck along the boards, freeing it up for David Krejci at the blue liner. Krejci then threaded a pass to a wide-open Nash, who fired one by Darling to knot the game at 1 and collect his 800th career point.
  41. ^ "Rick Nash retires due to concussions".
  42. ^ Beneteau, Josh (January 11, 2019). "Rick Nash announces retirement after 15 NHL seasons". Sportsnet. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  43. ^ "2002 IIHF World U20 Championship – Team Canada". IIHF. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  44. ^ Kanalley, Craig (December 30, 2009). "Canadian Olympic Hockey Team: 2010 Roster Released". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 30, 2009.

External links[edit]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by NHL first overall draft pick
2002 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Columbus Blue Jackets first round draft pick
2002 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Winner of the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy
2004
With: Jarome Iginla and Ilya Kovalchuk 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Columbus Blue Jackets captain
2008–2012 		Succeeded by
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