MacDonald to Don Blue Jackets Jersey
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COLUMBUS, OHIO - The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed free agent left wing Craig MacDonald, who played at Harvard, to a one-year contract, club General Manager Scott Howson announced July 14. The deal is a two-way NHL-American Hockey League contract and keeping with club policy, terms were not disclosed.
MacDonald, 31, registered two goals and nine assists for 11 points and 16 penalty minutes in 65 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season, setting career highs in assists, points and games played. He was nominated for the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Hartford's third pick, 88th overall, in the 1996 Entry Draft, he has registered 10-23-33 and 91 penalty minutes in 225 career NHL games with Carolina, Florida, Boston, Calgary, Chicago and Tampa Bay. He has also recorded 76-135-211 and 386 penalty minutes in 313 career AHL games with New Haven, Lowell, Omaha and Norfolk.
The 6-foot-1, 201-pound MacDonald spent two seasons at Harvard and notched 13-20-33 and 30 penalty minutes in 66 games. In 1997-98, he played for the Canadian National Team and had 18-29-47 and 38 penalty minutes in 58 games. He made his NHL debut with Carolina at Pittsburgh on January 7, 1999 and spent the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 seasons with Cincinnati of the International Hockey League. He tallied 32-52-84 and 180 penalty minutes in 160 career games for the Cyclones.
