Blue Jackets sign York to two-way deal

The Columbus Blue Jackets, parent club of the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, on Friday signed left wing Mike York to a one-year, two-way NHL/AHL contract.

As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

York, 30, appeared in 63 games for the Phoenix Coyotes last season, registering six goals, eight assists and four penalty minutes. Over his nine-year NHL career, York has skated in 578 games with the New York Rangers, Edmonton, New York Islanders, Philadelphia and Phoenix, compiling 127 goals, 195 assists and 135 penalty minutes.

He enjoyed a successful rookie season with the Rangers in 1999-2000, collecting 26 goals, 24 assists and 18 penalty minutes while being named to the NHL All-Rookie team. His best season came in 2001-02 when he tallied 61 points (20g, 41a) in 81 games with the Rangers and Edmonton and was named to the North American All-Star team. York also earned a silver medal as a member of the United States team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

A native of Waterford, Mich., York turned pro late in the 1998-99 season when he joined the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack after a four-year career at Michigan State University. York tallied two goals and two assists in three regular-season games with Hartford and added three goals and one assist in six Calder Cup Playoff matches.

At MSU, York appeared in 158 games, notching 79 goals, 122 assists and 141 penalty minutes. He was a Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist and NCAA West First All-American in 1998 and 1999 and CCHA Player of the Year in 1999. He was selected by the New York Rangers in the sixth round, 136th overall, in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.