Blue Jackets activate forward Derek MacKenzie off injured reserve
Press release from the Blue Jackets:
COLUMBUS, OHIO --- The Columbus Blue Jackets have activated forward Derek MacKenzie off Injured Reserve, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. MacKenzie has missed the past five games with a strained back suffered in a game at Vancouver on November 22.
MacKenzie, 32, has recorded 2-1-3 and nine penalty minutes in 22 games with Columbus this season. He has also dished out 66 hits and gone 89-for-164 in the face-off circle (54.3 pct.), giving him the second-best face-off percentage on the team behind Brandon Dubinsky (55.8 pct.).
Originally selected by Atlanta in the fifth round, 128th overall, of the 1999 NHL Draft, MacKenzie has registered 24-32-56, 137 PIM and a +14 plus/minus rating in 258 career games with the Thrashers and Blue Jackets, including 24-30-54, 117 penalty minutes and +14 in 230 games with Columbus.
The Blue Jackets return to action on Friday when they host the Minnesota Wild at Nationwide Arena. Game time is 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show at 6:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on the Blue Jackets Radio Network, including flagship station Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan, and online at BlueJackets.com.
