NHL Columbus Blue Jackets’ Best and Most Memorable #31 Goalies
August 31, 2026 • 9:03 AM EDT
Updated 5 days ago
As the Columbus Blue Jackets fanbase ticks off 31 days before opening night at Nationwide Arena, there’s more than just anticipation brewing. There’s a tradition between the pipes: jersey number 31. History says this is a goalie’s number, and in Columbus, it’s been home to some of the most memorable moments and colorful careers in franchise history.
When you look back at the Blue Jackets’ journey, the keepers of the crease have left real marks wearing 31. These aren’t just throwback trivia; every name tells a story about where the team’s been, how it survived those rugged early years, and why the fans feel so attached to their netminders. Today, I want to give you the inside scoop on each man who’s worn 31, what they meant for Columbus, and what their story hints for the future.
Let’s dig into the list.
- Ron Tugnutt (2001-2002): The original Blue Jackets goalie, he set the tone in the franchise’s first year. Tugnutt played 53 games in that debut season, finishing 22-25-5 with a .917 save percentage. That’s not just solid, it’s the kind of number that keeps your expansion team in more games than it should be. Tugnutt’s steady glove gave Columbus fans a reason to believe right away. After his two Columbus seasons, he wrapped up his career with the Dallas Stars and Utah Grizzlies, racking up 16 NHL years and 186 wins. Not many goalies can say they set a franchise’s first goaltending standard, but Tugnutt did.
- Pascal Leclaire (2004-2009): Drafted eighth overall by Columbus, Leclaire gave the Jackets flashes of brilliance. He registered a 45-55-12 record and a .907 save percentage. Columbus fans won’t forget he was in net giving up Alex Ovechkin’s first career goal. In 2009, Leclaire was part of a trade to Ottawa for Antoine Vermette — a move that would have ripple effects, since the pick Columbus sent became Robin Lehner for Ottawa. Leclaire called it a career in 2012.
- David LeNeveu (2011): A brief cameo, LeNeveu played just one period for Columbus in the 2010-11 season, surrendering 2 goals on 12 shots. He didn’t see more NHL ice after that, venturing to the KHL and later coaching and managing in the BCHL. That single game is a reminder that not every Blue Jackets story is long, but every one counts.
- Shawn Hunwick (2012): The shortest Blue Jackets #31 tale, Hunwick logged only three minutes in relief on April 7, 2012, in a 7-3 win. Still, he got his name in the books. He finished his pro hockey days in Germany and retired in 2013. A brief flash, but a dose of local inspiration for underdogs everywhere.
- Curtis McElhinney (2014): McElhinney put up serious work with Columbus, starting 66 games and relieving 19 more. His 26-33-8 record doesn’t tell the whole story — he held the fort during tough stretches and went on to win two Stanley Cups in Tampa as Andrei Vasilevskiy’s backup. If you want to argue who wore 31 best, McElhinney has to be near the top. After hanging up the pads, he took a role as Toronto Maple Leafs’ Director of Goaltending, showing just how respected his hockey mind is.
- Anton Forsberg (2015-2017): Forsberg didn’t get much run in Columbus, only nine starts from 2014-2017 with a 1-8 record. But he proved himself in the AHL, guiding the Cleveland Monsters to a Calder Cup with a perfect 9-0 playoff run. His skills caught Chicago’s eye, eventually being included in the Artemi Panarin trade package. Forsberg’s journeyman experience proves there’s more to a story than NHL stats.
- Michael Hutchinson (2023): Acquired from Vegas, he got 10 starts in 2023, going 2-6-3, and made six relief appearances. His Blue Jackets tenure might be short-lived, with a move to Finland on deck for the next season. Still, he got the call for Columbus when needed.
Per Yahoo Sports, the countdown isn’t just a roster watch or a schedule check — it’s a celebration of how the number 31 has meant persistence and possibility in Columbus hockey lore. As another season approaches, the debate continues: which #31 made the biggest impact?
The goalies who defined the Blue Jackets’ #31
- Tugnutt’s inaugural season helped set a culture of resilience despite long odds for a new franchise.
- Leclaire’s stints included unwitting history against Hall-of-Famers and was central to a major trade.
- Short-term backups like LeNeveu and Hunwick show just how tough it is to stay in an NHL crease.
- McElhinney proved journeymen can be vital stabilizers in uncertain times, earning hardware later in his career.
- Forsberg shined with the Cleveland Monsters, reminding fans that prospects can find glory even if NHL starts are rare.
- Hutchinson’s last-minute run capped another era of adaptation in net for the Blue Jackets.
Key developments, why it matters for bettors and fans
- Depth at goalie isn’t always about stats — resilience and next-man-up mentality matter long-term for futures betting.
- Columbus’ rotating cast of #31s shows how unpredictable netminding can be and why you should never overrate a new name early.
- McElhinney’s Stanley Cup-winning pedigree after Columbus suggests that elite goaltending can develop later than you think.
- The Blue Jackets’ willingness to take chances on different goaltenders is part of their DNA — something to remember for season props.
Key takeaways for Blue Jackets fans and bettors
- Columbus has seen everything from franchise pillars to last-chance callups wear #31 — expect goalie surprises.
- If the Blue Jackets stick with their tradition, young goalies could get showcase opportunities earlier than you expect.
- Don’t sleep on goalies with AHL success. Forsberg’s playoff run is proof that storylines matter beyond NHL stats.
- Trading and free agency can flip a goalie depth chart instantly — watch how Columbus manages their roster around opening night.
- Backing Columbus in opening month wagers? Goalie performance is the wild card every year, especially with fresh faces in the mix.
- Veteran backups like McElhinney can shift momentum in a season (or a game), so account for them in live betting.
- The goaltending legacy at #31 is one of grit and unpredictability, giving bettors a reason to hunt value rather than just follow favorites.
You can’t tell Columbus’ story without its keepers of the crease — and that’s why the countdown to opening night always feels bigger than a simple number on the calendar.
More coverage: NHL news coverage, our NHL betting analysis and NHL expert picks.
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