Columbus Blue Jackets | CollegeHockeyPlayers

30May

Jason Williams(18) Ambrì- Piotta

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Entering his 13th season, center Jason Williams(18) says goodbye to North American pro hockey and is looking at the next 2 years with Ambri-Piotta of Switzerland National League A.

He leaves having skated in 455 NHL regular season and 27 postseason games scoring 95 goals and 135 assists, most recently with Pittsburgh Penguins, who he signed a one-year, two-way deal with for 2011/2012.

The 5’11” 185 lbs. forward had one of his best seasons in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins scoring 13 goals and 29 assists in 59 games and added another 3 goals and 10 assists in 12 games.

The 32-year old when the 2012/2013 season starts has skated in Europe once before. During the lock out, he played the season in Finland.

Chances are he’ll do well playing this style and they are already very excited to have him join their team.

10May

Alexandre Picard(9) Norfolk Admirals

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Former Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 1st round pick in the 2004 draft (#8 overall), left wing Alexandre Picard(9) is finding his scoring touch in the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs with his new team of the 2011/2012 season, Norfolk Admirals.

The 6’2″ 206 lbs. power forward was signed to a one-year two-way contract by Tampa Bay Lightning at the beginning of free agency.

In 67 NHL games over the first five years of his pro career with the Blue Jackets, he only managed a pair of assists. He was not recalled this season and in 49 AHL games scored 6 goals, 19 assists for 25 points.

He did however have his best plus/minus with a +9.

Through 7 seasons, he’s played 351 AHL regular season games scoring 111 goals and 121 assists.

In 9 postseason contests he has seemingly exploded for 6 goals and 6 assists and leads the team and league in scoring.

He potted another two in game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, including the winning tally to put the Admirals up in the series 3-2 in the best-of-7.

26Apr

Nick Drazenovic(10) Columbus Blue Jackets

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Columbus Blue Jackets re-signed soon-to-be 6th year center Nick Drazenovic(10) to another one year, two-way contract for the 2012/2013 season.

He failed to receive an NHL call-up in what was an injury-plagued year for the 6’1″ 200 lbs. forward.

Originally a St. Louis Blues‘ 6th round pick in the 2005 draft (#171 overall), he appeared in three games with the team registering no points.

In 278 games over four seasons with their AHL affiliate Peoria Rivermen, he’s scored 70 goals and 90 assists.

Even being limited to only 41 games with Springfield Falcons, he managed 13 goals and a career high 28 assists, making him a point per game player.

If he’s healthy, the 25-year old should almost certainly see some more time in the show in the upcoming year.

19Apr

Daniel New(7) Springfield Falcons

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Undrafted 23-year old, Springfield Falcons‘ defenseman Daniel New(7) made a good impression in first two pro games following the conclusion of his college career with a goal and a pair of assists and a +2 plus/minus. Both games were also wins for the team.

He was signed to an ato in late March but didn’t make his debut until the final contests of the 2011/2012 regular season.

Where the 6’2″ 190 lbs. blue liner will end up next season is anyone’s guess, but their NHL affiliate Columbus Blue Jackets almost certainly took notice.

15Apr

Boone Jenner (15)

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18-year old Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft (#37 overall), center Boone Jenner(15) picked up his first pro hockey goal with AHL affiliate Springfield Falcons in their last game of the regular season.

He’s skated in 5 games with the team since his juniors club was eliminated from the OHL playoffs.

In all likelihood he will be returned to his final year of juniors but already at 6’1″ 193 lbs. he’s big and looks to have all the right assets to play hockey with the bigger boys.

09Apr

Sean Collins(17) Springfield Falcons

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Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 7th round pick in the 2008 draft (#187 overall) center Sean Collins was another freshly signed player to pot his first professional goal over the weekend. He adds the tally to his 3 assists he has in 6 games played.

He was signed to an NHL two-year entry level contract upon completion of his four year college career and then as is the case with most newly inked players accepted an ato to join their AHL affiliate Springfield Falcons for the rest of the season.

At 6’3″ 195 lbs. he very much looks to already be developing into a future big-time power forward.

01Apr

Dalton Prout(4) Columbus Blue Jackets

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Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 6th round pick in the 2010 draft (#154 overall) rookie defenseman Dalton Prout(4) received his first recall to the NHL.

The 6’3″ 219 lbs. blue liner has skated well in his first season with their AHL affiliate Springfield Falcons recording 4 goals and 8 assists in 60 games with a -3 plus/minus.

He’s appeared in two games for the Blue Jackets over the weekend playing an average of 14 minutes with no points but was a +1 on ice in a pair of winning efforts.

The 22-year old was signed to a three-year entry level deal, so there’s still plenty of time to see if the big man will continue to develop that shutdown ability while adding a few points to the scoresheet.

29Mar

Allen York(35) Columbus Blue Jackets

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Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 6th round pick in the 2007 draft (#158 overall) rookie goaltender Allen York(35) has played games this season with their affiliates Chicago Express of the ECHL, Springfield Falcons of the AHL and in the big club in the NHL.

No start was more surprising for the 22-year old than when he was recalled on an emergency basis to the Blue Jackets to serve as the back-up netminder and was given the nod after their main guy was injured during the team’s morning skate.

Getting his first win at home in a 29 save effort against Detroit Red Wings also had to put a smile on the big goaltender’s face.

It’s a bit amazing that he’s only played 24 games all season in three different leagues. Should be able to retain his rookie status going into 2012/2013.

27Mar

Alexandre Giroux(12) Springfield Falcons

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High 5’s for 11-year Springfield Falcons‘ veteran center Alexandre Giroux(12) for scoring his 700th career AHL point, a goal last weekend.

He has 364 goals and 336 assists in 764 regular season games played, which is a pretty incredible feat.

He’s not exactly having a career year for scoring this season with 24 goals and 26 assists in 58 games; yet he’s still in the top 20 for points in the league.

In the last three seasons, he’s either won top scorer or come in second.

He’s skated in 48 NHL games scoring 6 goals and 6 assists.

At 6’3″ 202 lbs. he’s a pretty big power forward and has the ability to get in tight and score some goals but has never quite been given the chance.

We remember two and a half great seasons when he was with Hartford Wolf Pack, signed to New York Rangers, who he only played one game for.

He’s only signed with Columbus Blue Jackets for a year, but we hope they re-up with him for another season.

29Feb

Darryl Boyce(47) Columbus Blue Jackets

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Lost in the trade deadline shuffle: undrafted, 5th year center Darryl Boyce(47) didn’t survive going through waivers after being reassigned by Toronto Maple Leafs to their AHL affiliate Marlies, the only two pro teams he’s ever played for.

He was snapped up by Columbus Blue Jackets and skated in his 1st game with his new team on Tuesday night.

He had appeared in 64 NHL games with the Leafs 6 goals with 9 assists but goal scoring isn’t where he lives.

At 6′ 200 lbs. he’s not excessively large but he plays a big game out there and is a tireless agitator for all his opponents to have to deal with.

It will be interesting to see how he adapts to the change of scenery and where the Blue Jackets see him fitting into their lineup. Seeing him with Springfield Falcons before the end of the season wouldn’t surprise me.

He traded in his odd number 47 jersey he’d been wearing for 43, which is a bit of a thinker.