Former Clarkson University Hockey All-American Grant Clitsome rejoined the National Hockey League when the Columbus Blue Jackets recalled the defenseman from their American Hockey League affiliate Syracuse Crunch on Monday, March 22.

Clitsome Hoping to Build Off Debut

In his first game back in the NHL and second overall with Columbus, Clitsome, 24, played almost 15 minutes in the Blue Jackets’ game at New Jersey on Tuesday night.

Clitsome made his NHL debut against Vancouver on March 2 and tallied two assists to become the first Blue Jackets player to record multiple assists in his NHL debut.

Columbus' 12th pick, 271st overall, in the 2004 Entry Draft, he has registered 5-15-20 and 42 penalty minutes in 64 games with Syracuse this season. He ranks tied for second among Crunch defensemen in assists and is third in points. He has collected 9-39-39 and 116 penalty minutes in 137 career AHL games.

A native of Gloucester, Ontario, Clitsome was a standout defenseman for Clarkson through four seasons from 2004-2008. He tallied 73 points, including 57 assists, 122 penalty minutes and a cumulative plus/minus rating of +32 in 150 career games with the Knights. In 2007-08 he was named Second-Team Reebok All-American while helping the Golden Knights win the ECAC regular season championship.

KNIGHTS in the NHL