The first jersey hung in the rafters of Nationwide Arena will belong to Rick Nash.

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Thursday that the franchise's all-time leader in goals, assists and games played will have his No. 61 retired on March 5 against the Boston Bruins.

"This is incredibly exciting, not only for Rick and his family, but for our entire organization and our great fans," Blue Jackets president John Davidson said in a statement. "Only one player can be the first to have their jersey retired by a franchise and with everything that Rick has meant to the Blue Jackets it is fitting that he is the one."

Nash, 37, was taken with the first overall pick of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft out of the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.

The Brampton, Ont. native spent nine seasons with the Jackets, scoring 289 goals and 258 assists in 674 career games.

In 2004 as a member of the Blue Jackets, Nash shared the Rocket Richard Trophy (with Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames and the Atlanta Thrashers' Ilya Kovalcuk) as the NHL's top goal scorer with 41.

Nash, who also spent time with the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins, officially announced his retirement in 2019, citing unresolved concussion symptoms.

The 2017-2018 season, Nash's 15th, was the two-time Olympic gold medal winner's final NHL season.