"Waiver" goodbye to Michael Blunden

As I sit here trying to interpret Swedish announcers while the Columbus Blue Jackets play their first game at Malmo Arena, I am doing so with something else on my mind. My favorite Blue Jacket is not in Sweden…in fact, he is not technically on the team anymore. As of noon today, the organization placed Michael Blunden on waivers. It is likely that he will be sent to the AHL affiliate in Springfield, as is the case with most individuals in his case. Why am I so upset about Blunden being sent down? The answer to that is not so simple.

I have been a fan of this sport for about a year and a half. From the beginning I realized I was different than other fans for one very specific reason: I am more of a fan of individuals than a team as a whole. There no handbook for how to be a fan in the NHL. (At least there is no official one to my knowledge.) In fact liking a person for who they are puts me dangerously close to “Puck Bunny” territory, but I assure you I am not.

So, what was it about Mike Blunden that made me go out and spend my hard earned money on a jersey? Well, it’s not goals or points if that is what you are thinking. Even though I met him once or twice, I am not one of those weird fans who thinks they know a player either. It started with his “team first” mentality. In his first game with the Blue Jackets, Blunden went toe to toe with Ryan Clowe, after he was attacking every Blue Jacket player in sight. To say Blunden lost that fight would be an under statement. It’s not the win that matters, but rather the fact that he was willing to do it in the first place.

After this, things just started escalating. I started hearing reports on the game broadcasts about Blunden’s great work ethic, and how he was well liked in the locker room. Though Blunden did not get a lot of ice time, as he was often on the fourth line, he never seemed to give up while on ice. He was sent back and fourth from Syracuse a few times. Once, late in the season, he flew into L.A. to help out after another forward suffered an injury, only to be sent back a few days later. Mike did not have the “Too good for the AHL” mentality, and he was there for the team when they needed him. He never asked to go home. Sadly, this can not be stated for the rest of the team.
The life a two way player is just this, you need them, more than they need you.

I am left with no individual to cheer for in Columbus. Sure, I like Derrick Dorsett, R.J. Umberger, and even Chris Clark, but it’s not the same. Mike isn’t likely to be resigned toe Blue Jackets after this season. Perhaps later in the year, if he goes through waivers again, another team can claim him. Loyalty and work ethic are not stats that show up in the papers…and in the end, isn’t that what matters most? (A naive me might believe that, but it’s just not the norm.)