The Syracuse Crunch announced today that the Columbus Blue Jackets have signed center Jiri Novotny (pronounced YOO- ree noh-VAHT-nee) to a two-year contract. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Novotny, 23, tallied 6 goals, 13 assists and 28 penalty minutes in 68 games as a rookie in 2006-07, splitting the season between Buffalo and Washington. He notched 13 points (6g, 7a) and 26 penalty minutes in 50 games with the Sabres and six assists and two penalty minutes in 18 games after joining the Capitals on February 27 in a trade that also sent a first round pick in the 2007 Entry Draft to Washington for right wing Dainius Zubrus and defenseman Timo Helbling.

The 6-3, 209-pound native of Pelhrimov, Czech Republic was Buffalo’s first pick, 22nd overall, in the 2001 Entry Draft and has collected 22 points (8g, 14a) and 28 penalty minutes in 82 career NHL games. He spent four-plus seasons in the Sabres organization, tallying 25 goals, 80 assists and 106 penalty minutes in 218 career American Hockey League games with the Rochester Americans.

Season tickets for the 2007-08 season are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the Crunch office at (315) 473- 4444 or by stopping by the Crunch office in the War Memorial at Oncenter.