COLUMBUS, OHIO – The
Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired center
R.J. Umberger and a fourth round pick (118th overall) in the 2008 Entry Draft from the
Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a first round pick (19th overall) and a third round pick (67th overall) in the 2008 Entry Draft, club General Manager Scott Howson announced tonight.
Umberger, 26, is a three-year NHL veteran who has appeared in 228 career games, registering 49 goals and 67 assists for 116 points with 78 penalty minutes with the Flyers. He collected 13-37-50 with 19 penalty minutes in 74 games in 2007-08, setting career highs in assists and points. He added 11-5-16 and 12 penalty minutes in 22 playoff games, helping the Flyers reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
“R.J. is a competitive, versatile player and we expect him to be a part of our top six forwards next season,” said Howson. “He can play center and he can play wing and we’re very excited to have him.”
Vancouver’s first pick, 16th overall, in the 2001 Entry Draft, Umberger tallied 58-71-129 and 65 penalty minutes in 112 games spanning three seasons at Ohio State. During his freshman season in 2000-01, he registered 14-23-37 with 18 penalty minutes in 32 games en route to being named the CCHA Rookie of the Year. He netted a career-high 26-27-53 with 16 penalty minutes in 43 games in 2002-03 to earn CCHA First All-Star Team and NCAA West Second All-American Team honors.