COLUMBUS, OHIO -- The Columbus Blue Jackets have assigned defenseman Dalton Prout to the American Hockey League’s Springfield Falcons, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today.

Prout, 23, has recorded two assists, 31 penalty minutes and 41 blocked shots in 25 games with Columbus this season. He tallied one goal and six assists for seven points with 27 penalty minutes and a +15 rating in 28 games with the Blue Jackets during the 2012-13 campaign, leading the club in plus/minus while ranking second among rookie NHL defensemen in that category.

A native of Kingsville, Ontario, Prout was Columbus’ seventh pick, 154th overall, in the 2010 NHL Draft. The 6-3, 222-pound defenseman has recorded 1-8-9, 56 PIM and a +9 rating in 58 career NHL games.



He has also registered 5-17-22, 127 penalty minutes and a +3 plus/minus rating in 102 career AHL games with the Falcons, including 1-8-9, 73 penalty minutes and a +4 plus/minus rating in 40 games in 2012-13.

The Blue Jackets return to action on Friday when the Washington Capitals visit Nationwide Arena for a Metropolitan Division battle. Game time is 7 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio HD beginning with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show at 6:30 p.m.



The game will also be broadcast live on the Blue Jackets Radio Network, including flagship station 97.1 The Fan in Columbus, and online at BlueJackets.com.