Blue Jackets Sign Mike York to One-Year Contract

[AVALANCHE FAN]

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed left wing Mike York to a one-year contract, club General Manager Scott Howson announced today.

York, 30, tallied six goals and eight assists for 14 points with four penalty minutes in 63 games last season with Phoenix. In eight NHL seasons, he has collected 127-195-322 and 135 penalty minutes in 578 career games with the New York Rangers, Edmonton, New York Islanders, Philadelphia and Phoenix.

The Rangers’ seventh pick, 136th overall, in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, York registered 26-24-50 and 18 penalty minutes, while being named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1999-2000. Two years later, he combined to score a career-high 20-41-61 with 16 penalty minutes in 81 games for the Rangers and Oilers, as well as being selected to play for North America in the 2002 All-Star Game.

He spent the next two seasons with Edmonton and totaled 40-57-97, 25 penalty minutes and a cumulative plus/minus rating of +9 in 144 games. York was then traded along with Edmonton’s fourth round pick in the 2006 Entry Draft to the Islanders in exchange for Michael Peca on August 3, 2005. He notched 13-39-52 and 30 penalty minutes to lead the Islanders in assists during the 2005-06 season.

He began the 2006-07 campaign with the Islanders and had 6-7-13 and 14 penalty minutes in 32 games prior to being traded to Philadelphia. In 34 games with the Flyers, he notched 4-4-8 and eight penalty minutes. He played his 500th career game against Boston on February 19.

The Waterford, Michigan native played four seasons at Michigan State and tallied 79-122-201 and 141 penalty minutes in 158 career games. He had 22-32-54 and 41 penalty minutes in 42 games in 1998-99 en route to being named the CCHA Player of the Year. He also earned NCAA West First All-American Team honors in 1998 and 1999, CCHA First All-Star Team honors in 1999 and CCHA Second All-Star Team honors in 1998.

York has represented his country on numerous occasions, helping Team USA win the silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. He also played in the 2005 World Championships and in three World Junior Championships. He won a silver medal and led the tournament in scoring with 5-5-10 in six games at the 1997 World Junior Championships.

[canuckfan]

I thought he had signed with a team in Europe? I guess one more NHL team was willing to give him a chance - albeit with a 2-way contract.

[duda.radek]

Originally Posted by canuckfan

I thought he had signed with a team in Europe? I guess one more NHL team was willing to give him a chance - albeit with a 2-way contract.

I thought so either, he signed with Novosibirsk. So we´ll see...

[AVALANCHE FAN]

Did he play for EDM during the time Howson was with the team?

[bengino]

Originally Posted by AVALANCHE FAN

Did he play for EDM during the time Howson was with the team?

he did for a few seasons, but the guy has been a bust for the last few years, dating back to his islander days.

2005-2006 Islanders 75 13 39 52 -9 30
2006-2007 Islanders 32 6 7 13 -9 14
2006-2007 Flyers 34 4 4 8 -9 8
2007-2008 Coyotes 63 6 8 14 -8 4

[Purely_Purinton]

So they wouldn't give Konopka or Lindstrom a legit shot, but they signed Mike York? It'll be another 10 years before this mess makes the playoffs, or moves, whatever comes first.

[AVALANCHE FAN]

Originally Posted by Purely_Purinton

So they wouldn't give Konopka or Lindstrom a legit shot, but they signed Mike York? It'll be another 10 years before this mess makes the playoffs, or moves, whatever comes first.

Your not implying theirs some bias toward fmr EDM players are you??

I know I sure have been!

[ACarter33]

Originally Posted by Purely_Purinton

So they wouldn't give Konopka or Lindstrom a legit shot, but they signed Mike York? It'll be another 10 years before this mess makes the playoffs, or moves, whatever comes first.

Lindstrom threatened to sign in Europe and Konopka would not have helped the team

[Purely_Purinton]

Originally Posted by ACarter33

Lindstrom threatened to sign in Europe and Konopka would not have helped the team

Had they given Lindstrom a legitimate shot to play full time he wouldn't have had to threaten to cross the pond, now I don't know if he would have put up numbers like he did in the A but totalling over 150 points in parts of 3 seasons in Cuse is worthy of more than a cup of coffee.

And Bullsh*t Konopka wouldn't have helped the team. This guy is a warrior on the ice and he can finish a bit too. Did you not see his callup last year? Knowing full well he'd only be up for a few meaningless games before going back to Cuse for playoffs, he showed up, threw the body around and fought 3 times in 2 games, two against a legit heavy in Matt Walker. The guy is a phenominal leader and does whatever it takes to win, and every single team in the league would benefit by having him at least center the 4th, or possibly even the 3rd line.

[Isles4life]

Mike York was once a pretty good player, but he has fallen pretty far. I thought it would have been in everyone's best interest for him to end up playing in Europe, but I guess Columbus is willing to take a stab and hope he can rediscover some of his offense.

[Blouin]

I liked him when he was a Ranger, and his production has declined since

[SirYohans]

Originally Posted by Blouin

I liked him when he was a Ranger, and his production has declined since

It's no secret, Mike York has to be played top line & get PP time to put up numbers like he did with the Rangers. If u bury him on the 3rd or 4th line, he's gonna be invisible. Maybe he'll get his chance again as a BlueJacket.