The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired defenseman Cale Hulse (pronounced KAYL HUHLS) and forwards Jason Chimera (pronounced chihm-AIR-a) and Mike Rupp from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for forwards Geoff Sanderson and Tim Jackman, club President and General Manager Doug MacLean announced today. Chimera, Hulse, and Rupp are all expected to join the team in time for tomorrow's game at Chicago.
The Blue Jackets also placed left wing Rick Nash on Injured Reserve retroactive to Oct. 5 and center Gilbert Brule on Injured Reserve retroactive to Oct. 7. Nash is eligible to be activated off Injured Reserve on Oct. 13 and Brule on Oct. 15.

Chimera, 26, has played in 130 career NHL games with 19-17-36, five game-winning goals, and 93 penalty minutes. The 6'2", 206 pound left wing was originally a fifth round selection by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1997 Entry Draft. He was acquired by Phoenix in a trade at the 2004 Entry Draft and recorded one assist in five games this preseason with the Coyotes. The Edmonton, Alberta native played last season with AS Varese in Italy, scoring 7-3-10 in 15 games. Prior to breaking into the NHL, Chimera scored 70-89-159 in 237 career American Hockey League games with Hamilton.

Hulse, 31, has recorded 16 goals, 91 points, and 937 penalty minutes in 580 career NHL games over nine seasons with New Jersey, Calgary, Nashville, and Phoenix. The Edmonton, Alberta native has recorded over 100 penalty minutes in six of his nine NHL seasons. He posted 0-1-1 with 14 penalty minutes in four games with Phoenix this preseason. The 6'3", 220-pound defenseman skated in 162-of-164 games during the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons, while averaging over 20:00 of ice time during that two year stretch. He was originally a third round selection by the New Jersey Devils in the 1992 Entry Draft and spent two seasons with Albany of the American Hockey League before making his NHL debut in 1995-96 with the Devils.

Rupp, 25, is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and played one season of high school hockey at St. Edwards before continuing his junior career in the Ontario Hockey League. The 6'5", 230-pound center has skated in one game this season with Phoenix, recording one shot on goal. He also posted 2-1-3 with 10 penalty minutes in six games during the preseason. Rupp has appeared in 84 career NHL games, with 11 goals and 20 points. He won a Stanley Cup championship with the New Jersey Devils as a rookie in 2002-03, scoring the game-winning goal in Game 7 of the Finals against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He finished the playoffs with four points in four games, all in the Cup Finals.

Columbus returns to action tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. ET against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center in Chicago. The game will be broadcast on FSN Ohio beginning at 6:30 p.m. with IceBreaker, a 30-minute pre-game show. The Blue Jackets next home game is Friday, October 21 at 7 p.m. against the San Jose Sharks. Tickets to all Blue Jackets home games are on sale now and may be purchased at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, the Blue Jackets Zones at Chiller Dublin, Chiller Easton, Chiller North, all Ticketmaster ticket centers, by phone at (614) 431-3600 or via the internet at www.BlueJackets.com and ticketmaster.com. For information on full season tickets starting as low as $13 per game, mini-season ticket plans or group tickets, call (800) NHL-COLS.