Blues claim Gamache, Jackets snag Hainsey

The St. Louis Blues on Tuesday announced the club has claimed forward Simon Gamache off waivers from the Nashville Predators.

Gamache, 24, has played in 11 games this season with the Predators, recording no points. He has also skated in five games with the Predators’ AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, registering four points (one goal, three assists) along with two penalty minutes.

The 5-foot-10, 186-pound forward finished fifth in the AHL in scoring in 2004-05 while playing with Milwaukee after he registered 86 points (29 goals, 57 assists) in 80 games. For his efforts, Gamache was named a First Team AHL All-Star and was selected to play in the 2005 AHL All-Star Classic.

Originally drafted by Atlanta in 2000, Gamache won a Calder Cup championship with Milwaukee in 2004, placing second on the team in playoff scoring with 24 points in 22 postseason games.

Hamilton lost its second-leading scorer when Ron Hainsey was claimed off waivers by Columbus.

Also on Tuesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets claimed defenseman Ron Hainsey off waivers from the Montreal Canadiens.

Hainsey had to clear waivers after Montreal recalled him from Hamilton yesterday, where the 24-year-old ranked second on the Bulldogs in scoring with 17 points (3g, 14a) in 22 games.

In his fifth pro season, Hainsey, the 13th overall pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, had 29 goals and 87 assists in 244 career AHL games with Hamilton and Quebec. He also has one goal and one assist in 32 career NHL contests with the Canadiens.

Hainsey was an AHL All-Star and a member of the league’s All-Rookie Team in 2001-02.