The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired left wing Dane Byers from the New York Rangers in exchange for center Chad Kolarik, Blue Jackets executive vice president and general manager Scott Howson announced today.
Byers, 24, has collected three goals and six assists for nine points and 25 penalty minutes in 16 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, this season. He ranked second on the club in points and was third in assists.
Byers has collected 72 goals and 91 assists for 163 points, along with 546 penalty minutes and a cumulative plus/minus rating of plus-14, in 255 career AHL games, including a career high 25-27-52 and 100 penalty minutes in 74 games last season.
The Rangers’ second-round pick, 48th overall, in the 2004 Entry Draft, Byers made his NHL debut Feb. 5, 2008, vs. Los Angeles. He has one goal and 31 penalty minutes in six career NHL games.
Kolarik, 24, has four goals and six assists for 10 points in 13 games with Springfield this season. The third-year pro out of the University of Michigan has totaled 50 goals and 60 assists for 110 points in 165 career AHL games with Springfield, Syracuse and San Antonio.
The native of Abington, Pa., made his NHL debut with Columbus last season, appearing in two games. He was originally drafted by Phoenix in 2004.
