The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed defenseman Justin Falk to a one-year, two-way (NHL/AHL) contract for the 2015-16 National Hockey League season, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed.
Falk, 26, notched a goal and an assist for two points with 14 penalty minutes in 18 games with the Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild during the 2014-15 season. He posted 1-1-2 and seven penalty minutes, while averaging 15:13 of ice time in five games with Columbus after being acquired with a fifth round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft from Minnesota in exchange for defenseman Jordan Leopold on March 2. The defenseman also collected 1-6-7 with 34 penalty minutes in 39 games with the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League this season.
"Justin is a good, young defenseman who was a solid addition to our hockey club late last season and we are pleased that he will continue to be a part of our group on the blue line next season," said Kekalainen.
A native of Snowflake, Manitoba, Falk has registered 2-17-19 and 134 penalty minutes on 14:46 of average ice time in 147 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets, Wild and NY Rangers. He has also tallied 7-26-33 and 206 penalty minutes in 228 career AHL games with the Wild and Houston Aeros since beginning his professional career in 2008-09.
Minnesota's second pick, 110th overall, in the 2007 NHL Draft, Falk recorded 7-44-51 with 223 penalty minutes and +40 plus/minus rating in 191 career Western Hockey League games with the Calgary Hitmen and Spokane Chiefs from 2004-08. He helped the Chiefs capture the WHL Championship and Memorial Cup in 2008, finishing second among club defensemen in assists and points with 4-22-26 and 98 penalty minutes in 72 games.
