COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired center Ryan Russell from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for right wing Mike Blunden, Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Scott Howson announced today. The trade is pending Blunden passing a physical.

Russell, 24, is the identical twin brother of Blue Jackets defenseman Kris Russell. Ryan Russell registered 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points, 48 penalty minutes and was +17 in 65 games with the American Hockey League’s Hamilton Bulldogs in 2010-11. He added 7-2-9 in 20 playoff games, helping the Bulldogs reach the Calder Cup Western Conference Final.

The Caroline, Alberta native was the New York Rangers ninth pick, 211th overall, in the 2005 Entry Draft. Russell has appeared in 243 career AHL games, collecting 51-49-100, 84 penalty minutes and a +54 cumulative plus/minus rating. He split his first professional season in 2007-08 between Hamilton and Cincinnati (ECHL) and helped the Cyclones win the 2008 Kelly Cup. Prior to his professional career, he notched 98-118-216, 155 penalty minutes and a +61 cumulative plus/minus rating in 263 career WHL games from 2003-07.

Blunden, 24, has tallied 2-2-4 and 69 penalty minutes in 51 career NHL games with Columbus and Chicago. The Toronto, Ontario native was Chicago’s second pick, 43rd overall, in the 2005 Entry Draft. He has also recorded 52-68-120 and 294 penalty minutes in 240 career AHL games with Springfield, Syracuse and Norfolk.