COLUMBUS, OHIO – Columbus Blue Jackets President Mike Priest announced today that Jody Shelley, one of the most popular players in the NHL franchise’s 13-year history, has rejoined the organization as a broadcast associate and team ambassador.

Jody Shelley is one of the most popular players in our history and we are very pleased to have him back in the Blue Jackets family,” said Priest. “I have been very impressed by Jody’s commitment and desire to make an impact on our organization. It is obvious that he cares a great deal about this team, the community and our fans.”

JODY SHELLEY PHOTO GALLERY

Shelley will feature prominently in all aspects of the club’s broadcasting efforts, providing analysis during select Blue Jackets home radio broadcasts; serving as a regular contributor during home game telecasts on FOX Sports Ohio, including as a second analyst between the benches on occasion; and co-hosting a weekly radio show on the Blue Jackets Radio Network and flagship station Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan. In addition, he will be involved in Jackets TV coverage via the club’s website, BlueJackets.com; and actively engaged in various business and community initiatives for the organization.

“It’s always nice when a player who is a part of a team’s history wants to come back and be a part of its present and future,” said club President of Hockey Operations John Davidson. “Jody was highly thought of as a player because of his work ethic, toughness and leadership, both on and off the ice, and you can’t have enough of those types of people in your organization.”

Shelley, 37, was signed by the Blue Jackets as a free agent on Jan. 31, 2001 and made his NHL debut with the club against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 17, 2001. He went on to appear in 380 games with the club, registering 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points with 1,025 penalty minutes. He led the Blue Jackets in penalty minutes four times (2001-06), is the club’s alltime leader in that category and owns the club mark for penalty minutes in a season with 249 PIM in 2002-03. He also ranks fifth on the club’s all-time games played list. He was also an active participant in the club’s community initiatives through the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation and received the team’s Community Service Award for the 2006-07 season.

“I’m very excited to be a Blue Jacket again and I’m looking forward to the opportunities ahead as I move into this next chapter of my life and career,” said Shelley. “Columbus is our home and to have the chance to be a part of this great organization again means a lot to my family and me. We’ve got an exciting team and great fans and I can’t wait to get started.”

After leaving Columbus in January 2008, Shelley spent parts of three seasons with the San Jose Sharks. He then joined the New York Rangers during the 2009-10 season before spending the past three campaigns with the Philadelphia Flyers. He wrapped up his NHL career with 18-36-54 and 1,538 penalty minutes in 627 games. He also appeared in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games with San Jose and Philadelphia.

Shelley was born on February 7, 1976 in Thompson, Manitoba and raised in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. He and his wife, Mandy, are the parents of a son, Owen, and daughter, Evelyn.