COLUMBUS, OHIO — Under the blazing lights of Nationwide Arena, with 18,000 Blue Jackets fans thundering approval, a new hero emerged from the shadows of the crease: Jet Greaves, the undrafted Ontario native whose name is now etched in Columbus hockey lore.
Once a relatively unknown name bouncing between AHL starts, Greaves has suddenly become the heartbeat of a franchise yearning for stability—and success—between the pipes.
From Call-Up to Crown Jewel
When Greaves got the call-up from the Cleveland Monsters in late February, few expected fireworks. The Jackets were in the midst of a grueling stretch, and fans were more focused on trade rumors than roster additions. But what followed was one of the most electrifying goalie performances in team history.
Greaves posted a 7–2–2 record over his final 11 games, with an astounding 1.91 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage. His signature moment? A 22-save shutout against the Washington Capitals, punctuated by a sprawling glove stop that sent the home crowd into a frenzy and cemented the 7–0 rout as a statement game.
“He’s got ice in his veins, and a rocket in his legs,” said teammate Zach Werenski. “You could see it in his eyes. He wasn’t just here to fill in—he was here to win.”
A Star is Born
Greaves didn’t just play well—he inspired belief. After years of shaky goaltending rotations and unfulfilled potential, fans finally saw a glimmer of a future franchise netminder.
“Jet doesn’t get rattled,” head coach Dean Evason told reporters. “He’s got that special quality—quiet confidence. He doesn’t just stop pucks, he changes momentum.”
And momentum, Columbus needed. Coming off a dismal 2023–24 campaign, this year was about course correction. Greaves’ ascension turned that into a near playoff chase, with the Jackets finishing just two points shy of a wild-card spot.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s talk stats:
Shutouts: 2 in 11 starts
Save %: .935, ranking top 3 in the NHL during that span
High-Danger Save %: 0.870—among league leaders
Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx): +7.2 in just 11 games
In short, Jet Greaves wasn’t just lucky—he was elite.
The Jet Effect
Local sports radio dubbed it “The Jet Stream,” as Greaves’ performance sent shockwaves through the locker room. The defensive corps tightened up, forwards backchecked harder, and belief surged.
“Every time he made a save, it was like fuel,” said rookie standout Adam Fantilli. “You just wanted to skate harder for him.”
The buzz extended beyond Columbus. NHL analysts, who once barely acknowledged the Jackets, now pondered: Did Columbus finally find their guy?
Future Franchise Netminder?
Despite his breakout, questions remain. Was this a hot streak, or the start of something special?
Analyst Kevin Weekes weighed in on NHL Network: “Greaves has the tools—lateral quickness, calm posture, and elite reflexes. But most of all, he has presence. That’s something you can’t teach.”
The Jackets now face a tantalizing offseason decision: lock in Greaves as their 1A starter—or make him battle it out in camp with veterans like Elvis Merzlikins or Daniil Tarasov.
But if fans had their say, the decision would be unanimous.
What’s Next for Jet?
Greaves is expected to join Team Canada’s extended roster for the IIHF World Championship—a well-deserved invitation that could add another chapter to his meteoric rise.
Back home, Columbus is already buzzing with “Jet Fuel” signs and #31 jerseys flying off the racks. Social media is ablaze with highlights and hashtags. The city hasn’t had this kind of energy about a goalie since the Sergei Bobrovsky days.
And this time, the sky’s the limit.
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So, is Jet Greaves the future?
If
you ask Columbus fans, the answer is simple: He’s already here.