Pretty cool announcement from the Columbus Blue Jackets this morning, if you’re a season ticket holder. Press release follows:

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COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS IMPLEMENT DIGITAL TICKET SYSTEM FOR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS

Paperless Blue Jackets Season Pass to provide greater convenience, flexibility in ticket sharing and forwarding

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today the introduction of a digital ticket system that will be used by season ticket holders during the upcoming National Hockey League season. Blue Jackets Season Pass replaces traditional paper tickets by providing a card pre-loaded with its corresponding seat location that is swiped upon entry at Nationwide Arena. The card will serve as the only “ticket” needed for admission to all games within the full season or partial plan holder’s ticket package. Blue Jackets Season Pass also offers a variety of features that enable customers to conveniently share, forward or sell their tickets.

Season ticket holders will utilize an easy-to-use ticket management system, My Blue Jackets Account, which allows simultaneous management of multiple accounts. Benefits include the ability to electronically transfer tickets securely via e-mail at no cost. The Season Pass also makes it convenient to sell tickets via NHL Ticket Exchange, the only team-authorized online secondary marketplace. If a customer opts to have a paper ticket for a particular game, the system allows the customer to print tickets from any computer at no cost.

“We’re very excited to be among the first NHL teams that offer this benefit to season ticket holders,” said John Browne, Columbus Blue Jackets Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Using the most up-to-date technology, this quick, secure and simple digital ticket system will give our season ticket holders the ultimate convenience and flexibility in using their seats. Blue Jackets Season Pass will offer our season ticket holders the convenience of having their tickets immediately available on an eco-friendly card with no need for paper tickets to carry around or look after.”

In an effort to make the transition to digital tickets as easy as possible, several resources have been created. Season ticket holders received a Blue Jackets Season Pass booklet that contains a detailed explanation of the system’s benefits and amenities; answers to frequently asked questions; and step-by-step instructions on how to use the online functionality such as printing tickets at home or work, electronically forwarding tickets and more. In addition, the team has created a page on its website, www.bluejackets.com/seasonpass, that contains an online version of the printed brochure as well as a series of video tutorials related to the functionality and conveniences this new system offers.

Fans holding single-game tickets, group tickets and tickets to premium seating offerings (suites, loge box and terrace tables) will continue to receive paper tickets as they have in previous seasons.

The 2013 NHL All-Star Game is coming to Columbus Jan. 26-27, 2013. Fans can guarantee access to seats for both the game and Skills Challenge now by reserving a full or partial season ticket plan for the Blue Jackets’ 2012-13 season. Ticket plans start at less than $15 per game. In addition to guaranteed access to All-Star tickets, full and partial-season ticket holders receive a number of great benefits including significant savings versus single-game prices; the best available seat locations; exclusive access to events with players and coaches; and priority access to tickets for most other events at Nationwide Arena and the Jerome Schottenstein Center. For more information, call (800) NHL-COLS or visit BlueJackets.com.