COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Blue Jackets on Thursday acquired center Ryan Russell from the Montreal Canadiens for right wing Mike Blunden.
Russell, 24, is the identical twin brother of Blue Jackets defenseman Kris Russell. Ryan Russell had 10 goals, 21 points and was a plus-17 in 65 games with the American Hockey League's Hamilton Bulldogs in 2010-11. A Caroline, Alberta native, Ryan Russell was the 211th overall pick in the 2005 draft by the Rangers.
Blunden, 24, has two goals, four points and 69 penalty minutes in 51 NHL games with Columbus and Chicago. A native of Toronto, he was Chicago's second pick, No. 43 overall, in 2005.