Anthony Zych, the creator of the Blue Jackets’ famous game day posters, announced that he was going to be leaving the team after the season ends.
Saturday will be the end of my fifth, and final, season at #CBJ. Excited to be able to put out one final game day poster. Time sure does fly
— Anthony Zych (@anthonyzych) April 6, 2016
Here are some examples of his best work:
.@Seinfeld2000 What if Seinfeld still on tv? Puddy paint face for #CBJ. Puddy yell at #NJDevils. Puck drop at 7pm! pic.twitter.com/mZGgxs7a9n
— Anthony Zych (@anthonyzych) February 25, 2016
My #StarWars #TheForceAwakens #CBJ #Flyers poster is on @Behance portfolio w/ rest of work: https://t.co/XV3s2B2M0S pic.twitter.com/r1wdTupx7e
— Anthony Zych (@anthonyzych) December 19, 2015
.@IslesWhiteSUV @NYIslanders Thought we had to put you in mascot protection program in Feb. HOW'D YOU GET OUT?! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/Kt6eHpHQCq
— Anthony Zych (@anthonyzych) March 21, 2016
Catching lightning in a bottle.
Official game day poster for the #CBJ–#Bolts 3pm matinee at @NationwideArena today pic.twitter.com/BUMTstZMz2
— Anthony Zych (@anthonyzych) March 13, 2016
Heavy congestion on I-75 if you're heading to the #CBJ–#RedWings game tonight. Look for stoppage along Ohio border pic.twitter.com/De2gxe7icT
— Anthony Zych (@anthonyzych) March 8, 2016
Happy to have gotten out another custom poster for the #CBJ #Leafs game later. Grab it here! http://t.co/JVhqK7mCMu pic.twitter.com/o8PKAlIWuT
— Anthony Zych (@anthonyzych) October 16, 2015
Feel like the joke is obvious enough. All in good fun! Here's #CBJ #Pens game day poster.https://t.co/P9J2bdDezj pic.twitter.com/KM4lKwZs8k
— Anthony Zych (@anthonyzych) November 27, 2015
Zych’s work was the lone bright spot in a terrible season for the Blue Jackets. The amount of good will and positive attention he brought to the team can’t be measured. It also brought a new aspect to fandom as well. Although these weren’t sold, plenty of people were collecting these posters and printing them off at home. It is the type of viral marketing people want but have no idea how to make. It was spontaneous and brilliant.
It is not yet known whether the poster series will continue for the Blue Jackets or leave with Zych. Regardless, this year can be remembered as a fun, new way for the NHL to market themselves. Will they take the hint and start to do this on a large scale?
That would make a little too much sense, wouldn’t it?
