Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
I would like to focus on one of the best defensemen the Jackets ever had and may ever have. Fedor Tyutin.
Who?! May some of you are scratching their heads. But it came to me days ago. Who is the Player that always plays and you almost never see in the game. Honestly, many fans probably wouldn’t recognize him outside the rink.
Who is this man giving the Columbus Blue Jackets defense consistency?
Born on July 19th in 1983 in Izhevsk, Russia, it was clear early on what he would do for a living. He would play Russia’s number one sport: Hockey.
He started professional hockey in 1998 playing for the second Team of Metallurg Nowokusnezk. He had one point in seven games. After two years at his home club Izhstal Izhevsk, he was ready for his first big club, SKA St. Petersburg.
Dec 9, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin (51) at the face-off circle against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
In his first performance in the highest league in Russia he was able to bring two points and four assists in 34 games. It was enough for the New York Rangers to draft him in the second round of the 2001 Draft in Sunrise Florida (where the draft will be held in 2015!)
His first stop in North America was Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League. After a very impressive season with 19 Goals and 40 assists in 53 games, he returned for two seasons to Russia. After only 20 Games in two years the Rangers gave him a call and he came.
In 43 games for the affiliate Hartford Wolfpack of the AHL he scored 5 goals and 14 points. But he also had the chance to play with the big boys. 25 Games for the Rangers and seven points later he was ready to shine for the season 2004/05.
We all know what happened with that season and a circumstance called the Lockout. That year he returned to St. Petersburg for five goals and three assists.
Nov 20, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin (51) and Calgary Flames right wing
David Jones(54) battle for the puck during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
After losing a complete NHL-season he returned to the New York Rangers. After three solid seasons with 225 games, 13 goals and 46 assists the Rangers had plans to go for Nikolai Zherdev. A very fast forward of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
On July 2nd the Rangers announced that they trade Fedor Tyutin to Columbus to get Nikolai Zherdev and Dan Fritsche. Christian Backman was also involved in this trade.
And here we are after six NHL seasons in Ohio with “Toots”. He has played 403 games so far for the Jackets. Call him a veteran but don’t make the mistake to call him an Oldie. Night in and out I see a mobile, big defenseman who gives everything for this team.
It´s his smooth and don´t-panic style of play what gives me the pacification. Your defenseman lost the puck and it´s a two on Tyutin-Rush? Stay cool and give the best to avoid a goal against. It´s the calmness I wish many players would have when they face situations like these.
In my opinion, he is the number 1 defenseman on the Columbus Blue Jackets.