Columbus Blue Jackets Acquire Karlsson, Bourque and Pick

March 2, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release


COLUMBUS, OHIO --- The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired center William Karlsson, left wing Rene Bourque and a second round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman James Wisniewski and a 2015 third round pick previously acquired from the Detroit Red Wings, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. Karlsson and Bourque are both expected to join the Springfield Falcons, Columbus' American Hockey League affiliate.

"This trade has provided our club with a talented, young center with tremendous potential in William Karlsson, a player who has twice scored 27 goals in this league in Rene Bourque and an additional second round pick in a very strong 2015 NHL Draft," said Kekalainen. "Parting with a player like James Wisniewski is never easy and we thank him for his contributions to our organization, but the emergence of some of the young defensemen on our team and the added flexibility this gives us made it an appealing trade for us as we move our team forward."

Karlsson, 22, was Anaheim's third pick, 53rd overall, in the 2011 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut this season, collecting two goals and an assist for three points with two penalty minutes and a +1 plus/minus rating in 18 games with the Ducks. He has also chipped in 8-16-24 and two penalty minutes in 37 games with the AHL's Norfolk Admirals.

The Marsta, Sweden native made his North American debut last season, tallying 2-7-9 in nine games with Norfolk and adding 1-2-3 in eight Calder Cup playoff games. He spent most of 2013-14 with HV 71 in the Swedish Hockey League, registering 15-22-37 and 14 penalty minutes in 55 games. He also helped Sweden win the silver medal at the 2013 World Junior Championships.

The 6-0, 185-pound center was the 2012-13 Swedish Elite League Rookie of the Year after collecting 4-24-28, 12 penalty minutes and a +17 plus/minus rating in 50 games with HV 71. He led all rookies in assists, ranked second in points and games played (tied) and was third with two game-winning goals (tied).

Bourque, 33, has registered 144-142-286 and 486 penalty minutes in 603 career NHL games with the Ducks, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks, including 2-6-8 and 12 penalty minutes in 30 games with Anaheim this season. He has also collected 11-4-15 and 59 penalty minutes in 27 career Stanley Cup playoff games, including 8-3-11 and 27 penalty minutes in 17 games with the Canadiens during the 2014 playoffs.

The 6-2, 217-pound native of Lac La Biche, Alberta signed with Chicago as a free agent in July 2004 and spent four seasons in the Blackhawks organization before joining the Flames in 2008. He spent three-plus seasons in Calgary, where he registered three 20-goal seasons. He tallied a career-high 27-31-58 in 73 games in 2009-10 and matched his career-best goal total with 27-23-50 in 80 games in 2010-11. He combined for 18-6-24 in 76 games in 2011-12, joining the Canadiens via trade midway through the season. Bourque also played four seasons at the University of Wisconsin, registering 57-40-97 and 172 penalty minutes in 152 career games from 2000-04.

Wisniewski has registered 53-216-269 and 449 penalty minutes in 538 career games with the Blue Jackets, Canadiens, Islanders, Ducks and Blackhawks. Since signing with Columbus in 2011, he has tallied 26-95-121 and 147 penalty minutes in 209 games, including 8-21-29 and 34 penalty minutes in 56 games this season.



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