hockeyfights.com forums - Blue Jackets Sign Adrian Aucoin

The Columbus Blue Jackets have agreed to terms with defenseman Adrian Aucoin on a one-year contract for the 2012-13 season, club Executive Vice President and General Manager Scott Howson announced today. The contract will pay Aucoin $2 million, plus bonuses.

Aucoin, who turns 39 on July 3, has registered 121 goals and 274 assists for 395 points with 777 penalty minutes and a cumulative +54 plus minus rating in 1,072 games with the Vancouver Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames and Phoenix Coyotes during a career that spans 17 NHL seasons. In 2011-12, he tallied 2-7-9, 42 penalty minutes and was +14 in 64 games with the Coyotes. He added 0-2-2 and 10 penalty minutes in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games, helping Phoenix reach the Western Conference Final.

“Adrian was the first defenseman we contacted today and we are very pleased to bring him to Columbus,” said Howson. “He is an experienced player who can move the puck and he reads the game very well. He will provide leadership and will be a great mentor to our young defensemen.”

The Ottawa, Ontario native was Vancouver’s seventh pick, 117th overall, in the 1992 NHL Draft. He was selected to play in the 2004 NHL All-Star Game after setting career highs in assists, points and plus/minus rating with 13-31-44, 54 penalty minutes and was +29 in 81 games with the Islanders. In 1998-99 as a member of the Canucks, he set a career high and led NHL defensemen with 23 goals. Of the 23 goals, 18 were scored on the power play, tying a NHL single-season record that has since been broken. In 62 Stanley Cup Playoff games, he has added 6-15-21 and 44 penalty minutes.

Prior to his professional career, Aucoin spent one season at Boston University in 1991-92, notching 2-10-12 and 60 penalty minutes in 32 games. He then played two seasons with Canada’s National Team and represented his country at the 1994 Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway.