The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed goaltender Shawn Hunwick to a one-year contract through the conclusion of the 2011-12 season, club Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Scott Howson announced today. Hunwick signed an amateur tryout contract yesterday and served as the backup to Allen York in last night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Hunwick, 24, just completed his senior season at the University of Michigan, where he posted a 24-12-3 record with a 2.00 goals-against average, .925 save percentage and five shutouts. He ranked second in the nation in wins, third (tied) in shutouts, fifth in save percentage and seventh in goals-against average and was named to the All-CCHA Second Team. He is a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.

The Sterling Heights, Michigan native finished his collegiate career with a 54-24-7 record, 2.06 GAA, .928 SV% and 10 shutouts in 87 games with the Wolverines. He is the school’s all-time leader in GAA and SV%, while ranking fourth in shutouts and seventh in wins. In 2010-11, he went 22-9-4 with a 2.21 GAA, .925 SV% and four shutouts in 35 games to help Michigan win the CCHA regular season championship and the Frozen Four title game. He was named NCAA All-Frozen Four, All-U.S. College Hockey Online First Team, NCAA West Regional Most Outstanding Player and All-Region Team and CCHA Best Goaltender. In 2009-10, he was named to the CCHA All-Tournament Team.

The Blue Jackets return to action Friday when the club hosts the Florida Panthers. Game time from Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio HD begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on the Wheeling Island Hotel & Casino Blue Jackets Radio Network, including flagship station 97.1 The Fan in Columbus, and online at BlueJackets.com.

Single game tickets for the Blue Jackets home games starting at $26 are on sale now at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, The OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks and all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers. Fans can also purchase tickets by phone at (800) 745-3000 or online at BlueJackets.com, the official club web site, and ticketmaster.com.

The 2013 NHL All-Star Game is coming to Columbus Jan. 26-27, 2013. Fans can guarantee access to seats for both the game and Skills Challenge now by reserving a full or partial season ticket plan for the Blue Jackets’ 2012-13 season. Ticket plans start at less than $15 per game. In addition to guaranteed access to All-Star tickets, full and partial-season ticket holders receive a number of great benefits including significant savings versus single-game prices; the best available seat locations; exclusive access to events with players and coaches; and priority access to tickets for most other events at Nationwide Arena and the Jerome Schottenstein Center. For more information, call (800) NHL-COLS or visit BlueJackets.com.

--CBJ--