Q&A: Jack Roslovic looks forward to year two in Columbus

If there was one major positive to the Blue Jackets' largely forgettable 2021 campaign, it was the emergence of Jack Roslovic.
Not only did the Columbus native return to his hometown team in a blockbuster trade, he had a breakout performance, posting a career-high 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) in just 48 games. That equates to a 58-point pace over 82 games, production that makes Roslovic a top-six center in the league at age 24.
Now, with four NHL seasons under his belt, Roslovic hopes to achieve even more with a full campaign on the docket in 2021-22.
Fresh off his TopGolf charity event
that benefited his Rosie's Gear for Goals, he also hopes to continue to represent the Columbus community on and off the ice.
With training camp less than a month away, BlueJackets.com caught up with Roslovic for a Q&A.

BlueJackets.com: It was certainly an interesting season -- all of the COVID rules were in place, plus there was the big trade and the chance to return home and play for Columbus. As you decompressed from the season and think back on it, what was your takeaway because so many different things did happen, both good and bad.
Jack Roslovic: "It's hard to sum up the season into words. First and most importantly, the team game wasn't really there. Obviously, we underperformed as a team. It was just a weird season, too. I am not using that as an excuse because it is in the past -- it is what it is now -- but there is room for improvement. Starting with some of these trades and starting with a new season and the freshness of it, I think it's going to be good.
"In regard to last season and what I've learned, I think my mindset has changed, which is good. I really started to feel it change last season, just in terms of being able to mix all the best parts of my game and bring it into one. It's something that I think is going to be really important for me just so I can play in all situations, play responsibly everywhere. I think it's biggest thing, and if I can get that really focused in, I think it will be great for next year."

I know hockey players hate to talk about themselves, especially coming off a losing season, but you did bet on yourself that if you got more playing time you would be able to produce. And I think you proved some things to some people by doing so. Did you maybe even prove to yourself that you can be the player you think you can be, and can that help you going forward?
"I would 100 percent agree with you, but I don't think I've proved anything to myself quite yet. I know that I can do it, but I understand still how hard it is going to be, so I am willing to accept the challenge and am very excited to accept the challenge. But yeah, I knew what I was capable of, I knew where I was playing wasn't what I had in me. I've said this from the beginning -- I've always wanted to play my natural position, and I have always thought that it best suited me because of my skill set. Now that somebody gave me that chance and now that I see that I can do it, I think it will be very easy to transition into a really good centerman."
That almost dovetails perfectly into my next question, which is, what's next? You aren't going to rest on your laurels, and you have to think there's even more you can accomplish. You've spent the entire offseason training, so what's next for Jack Roslovic?
"Obviously whatever they need me to do. I see myself playing with our top-six forwards and trying to not only play my game but help others improve. That's always been my game is make players around me better, help players strive, and we work as a team and work as a group to try to be the best players we can be and the best team we can be."
I want to ask about the acquisition of (fellow central Ohio native) Sean Kuraly. You have played with him before. You've known him forever. That had to be exciting for you as you saw it all come together this summer.
"I always had messed with him ever since I got here that he would come here because we all knew he was an unrestricted free agent. He's one of my best friends. He is an amazing guy. He will bring work ethic to the team. He'll bring grit to the team. He'll bring a lot of things to the team that is really our identity. He has the identity of the Blue Jackets, which is great, so I think as a player, as a person and as a friend, everything, it's a great fit. It's almost surreal that he is on the team, so it still hasn't sunk in. I'm sure when I get to the locker room every day it will be awesome."
He said the two of you golfed the weekend before he signed. Who won that day?
"Oh, I am far better. He doesn't golf too much. I will say I play a lot more than him, that's why I can beat him."
I asked him on the day that he signed, anytime you join your hometown team, it's obviously very exciting but there's also positives and negatives. There's pressure, you're going to be around so many people you know. Did you talk to him about what it is like to play at home in front of the hometown fans?
"(Because of COVID) I really haven't lived it the way it's going to be, but I think that we understand and people in our lives understand as well that you're one person and you have a job. There's going to be a lot of fun times, but there's going to be a lot of pressure for us as well. People know that we are trying our best every night and we are doing what we can do to help the team win, so I think Sean and I know that at heart. The pressure will be there, but really, it's there no matter where you are. But you definitely want to give a little bit more when you're in your hometown. It's almost like there's some extra meaning."
If you look at the history of Columbus hockey here, of the five central Ohio natives to reach the NHL, three have played for the Jackets or now signed with the Jackets. You also have Carson Meyer and Cole Cassels here in the AHL. The ties are very strong between the AAA team and the Blue Jackets. Obviously, it's cool that the organization values that, but it has to mean so much to you guys to represent where you're from.
"I think the organization values that and I think it's awesome that they do that, but I don't think they do it in terms of just because we're from here. All of us have earned it. I think Sean is the epitome of Blue Jackets hockey, which is great. And it's amazing to see everybody here and it's super cool to see everybody here. We didn't all play together when we were super young, but Carson, Cole and I did, which is pretty crazy.
"It's fun to have everybody here. It's cool to see the growth of the game, and I am excited to see the next wave of young talent that we have here. I have already seen some of the kids and talked to some of the kids and skated with some of these kids that are getting into schools already and getting drafted into junior leagues. It's pretty cool to see kids do what we wanted to do when we were younger."