COLUMBUS, OHIO – The
Columbus Blue Jackets have signed center Jiri Novotny (pronounced YOO-ree noh-VAHT-nee) to a two-year contract, club General Manager Scott Howson announced today.
Novotny, 23, tallied 6-13-19 and 28 penalty minutes in 68 games as a rookie in 2006-07, splitting the season between Buffalo and Washington. He notched 6-7-13 and 26 penalty minutes in 50 games with the Sabres and 0-6-6 and two penalty minutes in 18 games after joining the Capitals on February 27 in a trade that also sent a first round pick in the 2007 Entry Draft to Washington for right wing
Dainius Zubrus and defenseman
Timo Helbling.
The 6-3, 209-pound native of Pelhrimov, Czech Republic was Buffalo's first pick, 22nd overall, in the 2001 Entry Draft and has collected 8-14-22 and 28 penalty minutes in 82 career NHL games. He spent four-plus seasons in the Sabres organization, tallying 25-80-105 and 106 penalty minutes in 218 career American Hockey League games with the
Rochester Americans.