Former Clarkson standouts Chris Clark and Grant Clitsome (c) congratulate Andrew Murray on his first-period goal. Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Grant Clitsome, a former Clarkson standout, made an immediate impact in his National Hockey League (NHL) debut Tuesday, setting up two first-period goals as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Clitsome was named the game's No. 3 star for his efforts.

Click here to access video of postgame comments by Grant

Clitsome, who was recalled Monday from Syracuse of the American Hockey League (AHL), saw 12 minutes, 20 seconds of ice time, including time on the power play. He finished the game with a plus-1 rating, and compiled two penalty minutes.

"I was nervous and excited all night," Clitsome said. "It was a dream come true.

"I tried to keep it simple. It's definitely an adjustment and it's a lot different than what I am used to, but I just try to keep it simple ... and play my game."

A native of Gloucester, Ontario, Clitsome registered his first NHL point, assisting on Andrew Murray's game-opening tally at the six-minute mark of the first period. He registered his second assist on Antoine Vermette's goal at 17:30 of the opening stanza.

Commenting on his two-assist night, Clitsome said: "Well the first play I just picked it up, cut to the net and made the pass to Jared Boll and he made a great pass up to (Andrew) Murray and he went in and made a great play. And the second one was just a lucky bounce and Verm's (Antoine Vermette), who went in and also made a nice play to get the goal."

Blue Jackets interim head coach Claude Noel was impressed with Clitsome.

"I thought he played a good game," said Noel. "It's not an easy league to start in. I really liked him early; he looked patient and I liked what he did."

Clitsome has registered four goals and 14 assists for 18 points and 40 penalty minutes and in 55 games with Syracuse this season. He ranks tied for third among Crunch defensemen in assists and points. He has collected 8-29-37 and 114 penalty minutes in 128 career AHL games.

Clitsome was Columbus' 12th pick, 271st overall, in the 2004 Entry Draft. He tallied 16-57-73, 122 penalty minutes and a cumulative plus/minus rating of +32 in 150 career games with Clarkson. In 2007-08 he was named Second-Team Reebok All-American while helping the Golden Knights win the ECAC regular-season championship.