Mathieu Olivier spent 30 minutes Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena as a bartender. Dante Fabbro did the same on the other side of the floor while rocking some 2000s shades.
Meanwhile, Kirill Marchenko, Dmitri Voronkov and Egor Zamula were taking pictures with guests inside an actual box. In the middle of the floor, Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson were rocking their best Y2K look while posing with guests for pictures.
That was just some of the fun guests had as the Blue Jackets hosted “The CannonBall”. It’s the biggest event of the year for the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation. The night was full of dancing, great food, themed drinks and much more. Guests were able to mingle with Blue Jackets’ management, coaches and players as part of the festivities.
Since the theme was “2000s vibes”, attendees were asked to wear wardrobe signifying the turn of the century. Music from Britney Spears and NSYNC among others filled the dance floor. It was a night full of fun and vibes.
At the heart of the matter on this night was the continued work of the Blue Jackets Foundation. Being that this was “The CannonBall” for their 25th Anniversary Season, it came as no surprise that it was one of their biggest celebrations yet.
As part of the night’s festivities, a special announcement was made that the Foundation was donating an additional $1.5 million to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Of that amount, $500,000 was going towards renovations of the CBJ Foundation Family Resource Center. The other $1 million was being given to the Heart & Glory Fund, which offers different support to patients and their families during their stay at the hospital.
Among the initiatives as part of the Heart & Glory Fund are the availability of therapy dogs, care journals as well as the use of a new patient app that will help guide families throughout their stay.
So far this year, a total of $2.5 million has been donated by the Blue Jackets’ Foundation to different initiatives benefiting the health and wellness of children in Central Ohio.
The Hockey Writers was graciously invited to spend the night at The CannonBall to take in the sights and sounds of an unforgettable night. We got to speak to Foundation Executive Director Tara Battiato as well as general manager Don Waddell and a few players to discuss the meaning of the night, the work being done in the community and why the future in the community is bright thanks to the tireless work of many people.
Special Meaning of “The CannonBall”
“I believe this entire season, since we’re celebrating 25 seasons of Columbus Blue Jackets’ hockey, has been really special,” Battiato said. “The games have felt extra special. So taking that momentum and going into the planning The CannonBall Gala, getting to reflect on the 25 seasons, all the lives that we’ve changed, the money that we’ve been able to raise, to be able to put right back into Central Ohio, it’s been just really special. It’s all come together and it’s going to be fabulous.”
“These events are put on for a reason,” Waddell said. “People love to come out to them and meet the players and coaches. But more importantly, they’re here to give back to the community because what our Foundation does for the whole community, people want to be a part of that. That’s what makes me feel so good.”
The CannonBall is the one event on the Blue Jackets’ calendar that brings everyone on the team together. It’s an occasion everyone looks forward to.
No matter if a player has been here for over a decade like Boone Jenner or if it was their first time like it was for Jet Greaves and Charlie Coyle, the players fully embrace the night while giving an experience to fans they’ll never forget.
“It’s super special,” Jenner said. “What the McConnell’s started in Columbus 25 years ago with the CBJ Foundation and the work they do around the community, it’s really cool being part of the community and seeing where all that goes. When you have special nights like this, it really makes you feel like you know us as players with the community and we’re all striving for the same thing. That is to make life better for a lot of families and kids and different things around Ohio. (I) really can’t say enough good things about what this Foundation does and how it’s grown. You can see it tonight.”
Coyle couldn’t help but be impressed with everything the night had to offer.
“I think I was one of the first ones to come in before the crowd came in,” Coyle said. “Seeing the setup in the arena here, I thought they did an awesome job there, at the stage. You can tell a lot of music now. It’s a good atmosphere in here. When we were up there and they had the fire going up and the confetti, that was a nice touch. It seems like everyone’s just having a really good time and everyone’s nice and respectful. (We) chat with a lot of nice people who support us and are here for a great cause. What’s not to love?”
Greaves has been with the Blue Jackets for parts of four seasons. But this was his first “The CannonBall” experience. It was a night he won’t soon forget.
“It’s been so fun,” Greaves said. “Just meeting so many people, seeing so many familiar faces. That whole social experience for the night has been so amazing. What we’re here for, the Foundation, (it’s) so much greater. Seeing the money that’s been raised for the Foundation, for the hospital. It’s just so cool to see everybody’s contribution (and) the impact this can have in the community.”
This “The CannonBall” marks the fourth for Johnson since being drafted the by Blue Jackets. He has seen firsthand the growth and evolution of the Foundation. He’s excited to see where things go.
“It’s really cool always,” Johnson said. “Bigger year, bigger venue. It’s cool to do that on the ice here. It’s kid of weird but it’s also really cool. (Author’s note: The CannonBall was held over the covered ice surface.) I just think the speeches put into perspective that there’s so much more to the Blue Jackets’ organization and the city than just what we do on the ice. It’s cool just talking to people whether they work upstairs and help out the business flow. We’re all one team here.”
Bright Future
Towards the end of the night, the Blue Jackets all went on stage including the players, Waddell and head coach Rick Bowness. Once they were done with the speeches on stage, fire and confetti rained down signifying the importance of the night.
As it turned out, it was also a sign of great things to come with the Foundation.
“You think about, Cathy (Lyttle’s) talked about 25 years being up there. She does a tremendous job,” Waddell said. “You think about where it’s come from day one to 25 years and where it’s headed in the next 25 years, it’s going to be amazing.”
“It excites me even more to think about our future 25 seasons and all of the incredible impact that we still have to make,” Battiato said. “Our four pillars are pediatric cancer, education, health & safety and then of course, growing the game of hockey. What does the community need? How can we recognize that and how can we use this incredible platform to help them?”
You May Also Like
Tuesday night at “The CannonBall” was a memorable night full of good people, fun, laughs, 2000’s fashion and much more. But in the end, it marked an important intersection for the Blue Jackets Foundation.
The night was a celebration of 25 years of excellence coupled with what the next 25 years and beyond could look like in the Columbus community. Thanks to the efforts of many people within the Blue Jackets’ organization including leaders like Battiano, the Foundation has a very bright future ahead of them.
Central Ohio is in good hands moving forward thanks to the work of the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation.
