“2010-2011 could be an exciting year for CBJ fans as the team seems to be getting better and better. A couple of moves and they should be right there in the end.”
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Jackets notebook: Umberger ready to face Philly hostility
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 3:10 AM
The Columbus Dispatch
Forward R.J. Umberger spent three seasons playing for the Philadelphia Flyers, becoming a Stanley Cup playoff hero in the spring of 2008. He's likely to receive a warm reception tonight returning to the Wachovia Center for the first time since being traded to the Blue Jackets. Then again, it is Philadelphia. "I know how passionate they are there," Umberger said smiling. "They booed Santa Claus. If they boo me it will still be fun." Umberger has nothing but good memories of his time in the Flyers' organization. He won a Calder Cup with the club's AHL affiliate in 2005 and helped the Flyers reach the Eastern Conference final in 2008, scoring 10 playoff goals. He was dealt to Columbus that summer. He loves the hostile atmosphere in the area and is anxious to experience it as a visiting player. "They try to intimidate in that building and there's a lot of hockey history in that city," Umberger said. "I can't wait to go in there and feel that crowd again." New lettermanJackets coach Ken Hitchcock has added second-year forward Derek Dorsett to the club's leadership group, and last night made him an alternate captain for the first time. Dorsett, 23, is the Jackets youngest member of the leadership team. Hitchcock believes his voice is becoming an important one among the cluster of young players. "He identifies with all the younger players and I think he can provide proper direction for that group in there," Hitchcock said. "There are seven or eight of them that can learn from the way he plays and competes and thinks the game." The Jackets rotate their alternate captains, which include Umberger, Antoine Vermette, Fredrik Modin, Mike Commodore and Rostislav Klesla. No player was removed from the leadership group to make room for Dorsett, Hitchcock said Tyutin outDefenseman Fedor Tyutin missed his first game as a Blue Jacket last night because of an upper-body injury. Marc Methot took his place in the lineup, coming off the injured reserve list. Hitchcock said the club was aware of the ailment in the afternoon, but let Tyutin participate in the pregame skate before making a final decision. Tyutin had played in all 132 regular-season games since joining the Jackets at the start of last season. He had a streak of 216 games, dating to the 2006-07 season, snapped. Modin to IRModin, who had missed the past five games because of a bruised foot, was expected to return to the lineup, but instead was put on the injured reserve list retroactive to Jan. 7. Modin could play as early as tonight. The decision to place Modin on IR enabled the Jackets to clear a roster spot for Methot. Slap shotsThe Jackets waived forward Alexandre Picard with the intent of sending him to minor-league Syracuse. Rick Nash recorded his 400th NHL point on his second-period goal. Story toolsToday’s Top Stories |
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