Martinek Joins The Jackets

Radek Martinek Signs With The Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets Press Release

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Radek Martinek to a one-year contract, club Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Scott Howson announced July 6. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed. Martinek, 34, has registered 21 goals and 82 assists for 103 points with 272 penalty minutes in 453 games with the New York Islanders during his 10-year NHL career. Last season, he tallied 3-13-16, 35 penalty minutes and logged 20:50 average time on ice in 64 games after missing most of the 2009-10 campaign due to a knee injury. He notched 2-1-3 and 12 penalty minutes in 16 games prior to suffering the injury at New Jersey on Nov. 7, 2009. "Radek Martinek has been solid defenseman in the National Hockey League for several years and we think he will be a nice addition to our hockey club," said Howson. "He is a smart, steady player who will provide character and experience on our blueline." The Islanders' 12th pick, 228th overall, in the 1999 Entry Draft, Martinek made his NHL debut with the club during the 2001-02 season. The following year, he notched 2-11-13, 26 penalty minutes and was +15 in 66 games and made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut. He picked up 4-3-7 and 43 penalty minutes in 47 games in 2003-04 and added 0-1-1 in five playoff games. He tallied 1-16-17 and 32 penalty minutes in 74 games in 2005-06 and added 2-15-17, 40 penalty minutes and a career-best +19 plus/minus rating in 43 games in 2006-07. The 6-2, 210-pound native of Havlicko Brod, Czech Republic registered 30-53-83 and 195 penalty minutes in 235 career games with Ceske Budejovice in the Czech Elite League from 1996-01. He also represented his country at the 2000 and 2001 World Championships, helping the Czech Republic capture back-to-back gold medals.

PattyB Thoughts:
Its going to be extremely odd seeing Radek on a team other than the NY Islanders. He has been playing here for his entire career and has been on the roster for the most part of the past decade. Martinek is a solid second pairing defenseman that really plays a nice simplified style. This is a nice addition for the Jackets who have been a big player this off-season in the FA market and trade market. Martinek is the type of defenseman who will be effective in an important game where his team needs a solid defensive d-man. I also wouldn't be surprised to see him pair up with James Wisniewski whom he played with occasionally during Wisniewski's tenure on Long Island.


CONTRACT TERMS:

LENGTH: 1 YEAR(S)     VALUE: $2,200,000     TYPE: STANDARD     EXPIRY STATUS: UFA
SEASON	AHL SALARY	NHL SALARY	P. BONUSES	S. BONUS	CAP HIT
2011-12	$2,200,000	$2,200,000	$0	$0	$2,200,000