COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today that the National Hockey League franchise has signed a multi-year extension with corporate partner American Electric Power (AEP). The three-year renewal will continue through the 2011-12 season.

The Columbus-based AEP has been affiliated with the Blue Jackets since the 2007-08 season. The primary component of their agreement is a pair of dasher boards at Nationwide Arena.

American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation's largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP's transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP's utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas).

Season tickets for the 2009-10 season are on sale now with prices starting at $18 per game. In addition, 10- and 20-game packages for 2009-10 are also on sale. For information, call (800) NHL-COLS or visit BlueJackets.com.