Minnesota State-Mankato right wing Tim Jackman will forgo his final two years in college after signing with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Hockey News last month named Jackman, 20, the fifth-best prospect in the Blue Jackets’ system. Terms of the multi-year contract were not released.
Jackman, 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, was fourth in scoring with 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists) for the Mavericks last season. He led the team with 39 penalties and 86 penalty minutes.
He had 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in his freshman season, in which he was ranked No. 21 among North American skaters eligible for the entry draft by the NHL’s central scouting service.
Columbus selected him in the second round, No. 38 overall, in the 2001 draft.
“Tim provides us with the size and skill that we’ve been looking to add to our forward positions,” said Blue Jackets general manager Doug MacLean. “He played very well at the collegiate level and will have an opportunity to make the Blue Jackets roster in the fall.”
Jackman was scheduled to travel to Italy with the WCHA’s all-star team in August; junior-to-be Shane Joseph, a forward, was selected to replace him on the team.
