The Blue Jackets made a move this evening that will bring a former local star back to Columbus. Ryan Dzingel was a member of the Ohio State hockey team from 2011 through 2014 before signing an entry-level deal with the Ottawa Senators.
During his time in Columbus, he recorded the first hat trick in Big Ten history and was named all-conference for his play during the 2013-14 season. His college career came to a close when he reported to Ottawa's AHL affiliate—the Birmingham Senators. He would go on to make his NHL debut in December of 2015.
#CBJ Ryan Dzingel will be the fourth former Ohio State hockey player to play for the Blue Jackets, joining R.J. Umberger, Nate Guenin and Zac Dalpe.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) February 24, 2019
The Blue Jackets also received a 2019 seventh-round draft pick from the Senators in exchange for left wing Anthony Duclair and second round-picks in the 2020 and 2021 NHL Drafts. The 26-year old Dzingel has 22 goals and 22 assists (the 44 points are a career high) in 57 games this season.
An official statement on the move was released tonight:
"We are very happy to add Ryan Dzingel to our team as he is a very good player and goal scorer in the National Hockey League and a quality person who we believe will be a great fit with our group," said Kekalainen. "He has local ties having played at Ohio State and in talking to him is very excited about coming back to Columbus, being a Blue Jacket and helping us as we move forward." Via
The Blue Jackets are 61-35 on the year and fighting in the crowded Metropolitan Division as well as the wildcard race. For more information on all things CBJ and NHL, be sure to stay dialed into our friends over at 1st Ohio Battery.
