Nick Foligno Perfectly Embodies Columbus Blue Jackets

Monday night at Nationwide Arena introduced the unofficial beginning of the 2015-16 Columbus Blue Jackets, the new 3-on-3 overtime format, and the ushering in of a new era — the Nick Foligno era.

Officially named as the sixth captain in franchise history May 20, the Jackets finally filled the void left behind by Rick Nash in 2012.

Although you ask anyone and Foligno was pretty much the captain already. In fact a lot of different veterans in that dressing room provided leadership and exhibited the many traits a captain should display.

Last season was a special year for Nick. He posted career-highs in goals (31), assists (42), points (73) and was a career-best plus 16. Born and raised in the blue-collar town of Buffalo, New York, Foligno embodies those blue-collar and workmanlike attitude and traits on the ice. He grinds, checks, fights and as we found out last season, scores. A lot.

Perhaps a surprise to some, Foligno was picked as one of the captains for last year’s NHL All-Star game. With host-Columbus the center of the NHL-universe during All-Star weekend, Foligno embraced the role and showed what he means not just for the Blue Jackets, but how he depicts what the city of Columbus represents. While not flashy and very underrated, Foligno seems to take everything in stride.

Embracing these varied roles the way he did, as well as putting up the kind of numbers he did statistically, helps shed light on why he was made captain.

The Blue Jackets have many veteran leaders in the dressing room but there’s no denying Foligno is the perfect selection as captain. He’s well-respected throughout, not just among his peers, but the faces leading the organization.

Back during the May press conference announcing the captaincy, GM Jarmo Kekäläinen spoke fondly about Foligno playing the right way, ability to produce points, competing, sticking up for teammates, playing with a big heart and knowing when to say something — and when not to say something.

While Columbus has had playoffs in mind for a few seasons now, the naming of a captain was finally the right time heading into the 2015-16 season. The label may or may not matter, the same players will compete hard and Foligno in particular will still lead. However in a sport that typically has always designated a captain, it’s an important step for a franchise, and one that no team or player takes lightly.

This move comes at a time when the Blue Jackets, as a team but on a much bigger level an organization, looks to take that next step in advancing through the playoffs, but also becoming an elite team in the Eastern Conference.

Time will tell how their on-ice product measures up following years of organizational growth in management, behind the bench and on the ice. From prospects to veterans, Columbus has started to become the free agent destination it never was before.

The impact of naming Foligno captain officially puts a label on the exact role that Foligno brings to the rink every day. While he might have been a logical choice last season, it made sense to wait. Rather than naming a player captain because he scores 40 goals, it’s better when the true candidate portrays the qualities that players with leadership qualities must display.

The Jackets will greatly benefit from a lot of veteran voices such as those coming from Brandon Dubinsky and Scott Hartnell. While both might lead more with their mouth and physical play, Foligno brings that, but also a certain calming influence.

He has the ability to represent the players on a level with management that perhaps not just anyone would feel capable of doing.

A lot adds up to make Foligno the player he is today. He has blue-collar roots and a humble attitude, tutelage under Daniel Alfredsson while with the Ottawa Senators, and as coach Todd Richards puts it, Foligno does “a lot of those little things that start to add up.”

As Columbus looks to take that next big step, Foligno represents the perfect embodiment of what a veteran and captain should represent. Columbus knows this and that’s why they’re well on their way with its leadership and a new element added to the mix.

William Chase is a New York Yankees and Columbus Blue Jackets writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @William_Chase88 “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on LinkedIn and Google.