NHL Future Watch: Nick Blankenburg Hockey Cards, Columbus Blue Jackets – Nick Blankenburg signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent in April of 2021. They gave him a two-year and were gambling that this gritty defenseman could add something to their NHL group. Based on his previous stops, the answer seems like a yes.
Blankenburg had an interesting path. He played for Romeo High School in Michigan back in 2015-16. In 30 games, he had 35 goals and 67 points as a defenseman.
By 2017-18, he played in the AJHL with the Okotoks Oilers. He had 16 goals and 42 points in 57 games. He added 12 points in 15 playoff games. Blankenburg was named to the AJHL (South) All-Rookie Team.
2018-19 was his first season playing for the University of Michigan. The blueliner managed 10 points in 34 games.
In 2019-20, he scored four goals with 12 helpers in 35 games. After that season, Blankenburg was voted to the NCAA Big-Ten Honorable All-Star Team.
In 2020-21, Michigan played a shortened schedule due to the pandemic. He had five goals and eight assists in 26 games. Once again, he was on the All-Star Honorable Mention list.
2021-22 was a big year for the Michigan captain. The team was hoping to win it all. They didn’t, but he managed to score 14 goals with 15 assists in 38 games. In the Regional Final in Allentown, PA, Blankenburg assisted on a key goal. That happened while his team was a man-down. His short-handed chance really helped his team get a 7-4 win. The next game was the National Semi-Finals. They lost 3-2 in overtime. He then ended his college career and was signed to play in Columbus. In seven games, he got three points. The Jackets gave him a two-year contract.
In 2022-23, Blankenburg had two goals and one assist in his first seven games. He was playing like an NHL veteran. In an overtime game against the Philadelphia Flyers, he blocked a shot that fractured his ankle. He stayed in the game, and the Jackets got the win. Then he landed on the IR. He showed a lot of guts.
NHL Future Watch: Nick Blankenburg Hockey Cards Worth Chasing
The best card to get is Blankenburg’s 2022-23 Upper Deck Series 1 Rookie. The card shows him in his classic blue sweater.
Another option would be the French Young Guns version. It’s harder to come by.
Make sure to collect his future releases.
NHL Future Watch: Nick Blankenburg Hockey Cards, Columbus Blue Jackets – Stats
Statistical image generated on Hockey Reference 12/08/2022
NHL Future Watch: Nick Blankenburg Hockey Cards, Columbus Blue Jackets – More Resources
NHL Future Watch: Nick Blankenburg Hockey Cards, Columbus Blue Jackets – Image Gallery
For more from Russ Cohen, follow him on Twitter @sportsology.
Russ Cohen
is the author of several top-selling sports related books.
Baseball’s Best Rookies
Numbers Don’t Lie: Mets: The Biggest Numbers in Mets History
100 Ranger Greats: Superstars, Unsung Heroes and Colorful Characters
100 Things Rangers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die
“Strike Three!” – A Player’s Journey through the Infamous Baseball Strike of 1994
The Winter Classic: The NHL’s Savior
The Philadelphia Flyers: Images of Sports
Pioneers of Baseball
- NFL Future Watch: Zach Charbonnet Football Cards, Seattle Seahawks - April 25, 2024
- NHL Future Watch: Sean Farrell Hockey Cards, Montreal Canadiens - April 23, 2024
- MLB Future Watch: Zach Neto Baseball Cards, LA Angels - April 19, 2024