COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired left wing Nick Foligno from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for defenseman Marc Methot, club Executive Vice President and General Manager Scott Howson announced today. Foligno, who is a restricted free agent, has registered 61 goals and 87 assists for 148 points with 299 penalty minutes in 351 career NHL games with the Senators. In 2011-12, he set career highs in assists, points and penalty minutes as he tallied 15-32-47 with 124 penalty minutes and a +2 plus/minus rating in 82 games. He added 1-3-4 and eight penalty minutes in seven games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. “Nick is a versatile, durable two-way player who at age 24 is coming off the best season of his career,” said Howson. “We’re excited about what he will add to our group of forwards and are very happy to have him join our hockey club.” The 24-year-old native of Buffalo, New York was Ottawa’s first pick, 28th overall, in the 2006 NHL Draft. He split his first professional season between Ottawa and Binghamton of the American League in 2007-08 and then collected 17-15-32 and 59 penalty minutes in 81 games with Ottawa in 2008-09, setting a career high in goals. Foligno has tallied at least 14 goals, 32 points and played in 81 or more games in three of his four full NHL seasons. He has also played in 177 consecutive games, a streak that began vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs on Mar. 16, 2010. Prior to joining the Senators organization, Foligno played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Sudbury Wolves from 2004-07. He registered 65-131-196 with 392 penalty minutes and a cumulative +37 plus/minus rating in 196 career OHL games. He tallied a career-high 31-57-88 with 135 penalty minutes in 66 games in 2006-07 and added 12-17-29 and 36 penalty minutes in 21 playoff games, leading Sudbury to the OHL Finals. He also played parts of two years with the United States National Team Development Program. Methot was Columbus’ seventh pick, 168th overall, in the 2003 NHL Draft. He made his debut with the club during the 2006-07 campaign and went on to register 7-44-51 and 208 penalty minutes in 275 career games as a Blue Jacket. Last season, he collected 1-6-7 and 24 penalty minutes in 46 games before missing the final 28 games due to injury. 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.
