Blue Jackets sign Simon

The Syracuse Crunch announced today that the Columbus Blue Jackets have signed center Ben Simon to a one-year contract.

Simon, 27, appeared in 53 games with the Chicago Wolves last season, recording 11 goals, 10 assists and 58 penalty minutes. In 214 career AHL games with Chicago and Milwaukee, Simon has tallied 38 goals, 53 assists and 198 penalty minutes.

He made his NHL debut with Atlanta on November 10, 2001, at Washington, and has appeared in 68 career NHL games, all with Atlanta, recording three goals, one assist and 43 penalty minutes.

Simon won the Calder Cup with the Wolves in 2002 and returned to the Finals with Chicago in 2005. He also won an IHL Turner Cup with Orlando in 2001 and a silver medal in 1997 playing for the United States in the World Junior Championships. A native of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Simon was originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fifth round, 110th overall, in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.