AHL Syracuse Crunch

Columbus Blue Jackets Re-Sign Defenseman Marc Methot and Forward Alexandre Picard and Sign Forward S

Published on July 16, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Syracuse, NY (July 16, 2008) - The Syracuse Crunch announced today that the Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed defenseman Marc Methot and forward Alexandre Picard and signed forward Steve Kelly to one year two-way NHL-American Hockey League contracts. As per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Methot, 23, appeared in 66 games for the Crunch last season, registering 7 goals, 6 assists and 130 penalty minutes. He also skated in 9 games with Columbus last year, collecting 8 penalty minutes. In three seasons with Syracuse, he has appeared in 195 games, notching 10 goals, 32 assists and 263 penalty minutes. Methot has also skated in 29 games with Columbus over that span, collecting 4 assists and 20 penalty minutes.

A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Methot was selected by Columbus in the sixth round, 168th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to turning professional, he notched 42 points (8g, 34a), and 200 penalty minutes in 198 games with the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights from 2002-05.

Picard, 22, appeared in 50 games with the Crunch last season, tallying 7 goals, 13 assists and 116 penalty minutes. He also skated in 3 games with Columbus last year, picking up 2 penalty minutes. In three seasons with Syracuse, he has appeared in 143 games, compiling 33 goals, 46 assists and 241 penalty minutes. Picard has also skated in 43 games with Columbus over that span, notching 1 assist and 22 penalty minutes.

A native of Les Saules, Quebec, Picard was drafted by Columbus in the first round, eighth overall, in the 2004 Entry Draft. Prior to turning professional, Picard played four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, racking up197 points (93g, 104a) and 289 penalty minutes in 206 games with Sherbrooke and Lewiston.

Kelly, 31, appeared in 48 games with the Houston Aeros last season, tallying 10 goals, 18 assists and 81 penalty minutes. He also skated in 2 games with the Minnesota Wild last year. During his 12-year professional playing career, he has played in 149 NHL games with Edmonton, Tampa Bay, New Jersey, Los Angeles and Minnesota, notching 9 goals, 12 assists and 83 penalty minutes. He has also skated in 345 AHL games with Hamilton, Albany, Manchester and Houston, collecting 92 goals, 205 assists and 690 penalty minutes.

A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Kelly was selected by Edmonton in the first round, sixth overall, in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. Kelly was part of the 1999-00 New Jersey Devils team that won the Stanley Cup, appearing in 10 playoff games, collecting 4 penalty minutes.

Season tickets for the 2008-09 season are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the Crunch office at (315) 473- 4444 or by stopping by the Crunch office in the War Memorial at Oncenter.

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