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Columbus Blue Jackets Sam Vigneault Time to Shine

By Lansing Murphy

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 7: An exterior view of Nationwide Arena before the home opener between the Nashville Predators and the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on October 7, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 7: An exterior view of Nationwide Arena before the home opener between the Nashville Predators and the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on October 7, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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The Columbus Blue Jackets added Center Sam Vigneault last season from Clarkson University. This year’s Traverse City Tournament is his time to shine.

The Columbus Blue Jackets Center Sam Vigneault was an interesting mid season college signing last year. Vigneault is a big, true center that will forgo his senior year in the NCAA and attempt to make some noise in the organization this year.

The Traverse City Prospect tournament is a great venue for those youngsters in the organization to shine. Top flight prospects like Vitaly Abramov and Sonny Milano will look to sure up their chances of making the squad. This tournament though is a break out place for the prospects who may be buried in the Columbus Blue Jackets prospect depth.

Vigneault will certainly be on the prospect team that heads to Traverse City, Michigan in early September. The tournament is a great place for those who may be not be on the radar scree to make the team to being considered dark horses. Vigneault is that type of player that could use a big tournament to stand out.

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An Opportunity to Stand Out

Sam Vigneault stands out in a crowd. At 6’5″ he is a beast on a pair of skates. His size and passing abilities helped him become the top center for the Clarkson Golden Knights last season scoring 36 points in 39 games. That was against top flight NCAA competition in the ECHC.

No one is expecting Vigneault to make the NHL this season. But this tournament and training camp are a huge opportunity for him. These two event will draw the eyes of the organization and present Vigneault’s biggest opportunities to rise above the other centers in the program.

Putting together a solid year in the AHL will be critical for Vigneault this season if he hopes to stay above the fray in an organization that has superb depth in it’s prospect pool. But the prospect tournament and training camp are vital for the 21-year-old.

The next month are huge for many prospects. Other than Sonny Milano, this September will be more important to no player other than Sam Vigneault.

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