Three former Falcons are currently with Columbus: Grant Clitsome, John Moore and Matt Calvert.
Former Springfield defenseman Grant Clitsome skates with the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday morning at TD Garden in Boston. BOSTON – A good farm team is like a blood bank for any NHL club, even one such as the last-in-the-league Columbus Blue Jackets.
In fact, things would perhaps be even worse than they already are for the win-starved Jackets if not for the on-demand transfusions they’ve received from the Springfield Falcons, their AHL affiliate.
From David Savard to Matt Calvert to Alexandre Giroux to Curtis Sanford to John Moore.
All of the above and others, too, have had to jump up from the Falcons to plug holes in Columbus in the one-plus seasons the two teams have been intertwined.
“Your lifeblood is from the kids that you draft, your prospects that you have to develop,” said Columbus coach Scott Arniel, who was a successful AHL bench boss in Manitoba before being hired by the Jackets last year. “I know last year it was a struggle (for both clubs). This year, we made a conscious effort to make sure we had some good veterans to surround the young guys that we had there (in Springfield). We’re really starting to see some growth in these guys.
“Guys who have had to come up and play for us, whether it was one of the young kids or some of the veterans, they’ve played well, and they’ve played hard. That’s what you need.”
The Columbus lineup that faced the Boston Bruins on Thursday contained a trio of former Falcons: defensemen Grant Clitsome and John Moore, and winger Matt Calvert.
Clitsome, who spent half of last season in Springfield, said his grooming under Falcons head coach Rob Riley and his assistant, Brad Larsen, went a long way toward getting him ready for the big time.
“I think it was good for me,” said Clitsome, who with nine points (three goals, six assists) ranks third on the Jackets. “It got my confidence up, and I was able to play a lot of minutes. Rob was great, and so was Brad. I loved both of those guys as coaches.”
Riley and Larsen, who were joined on the Birds’ bench by former NHL defenseman Nolan Pratt, also receive high marks from Columbus General Manager Scott Howson.
“The primary goal is to develop players,” said Howson, “and I think we’re on there with our coaching staff, there. Rob has a (strong) development side, but he also knows the importance of winning. He’s a patient person. He teaches. He doesn’t (keep) players in his doghouse. He knows they need to learn, and that there are ups and downs.
“Brad’s a real asset to our organization, based on his (playing) experience, both in the NHL and the AHL. He knows the process. He’s very demanding of the players, and he’s done a nice job.”
The original two-year agreement between Columbus and Springfield is set to expire after this season, and given the climate of good feeling among the two, talk of an extension could be in the offing.
At least, that’s Howson’s feeling.
“We’re in constant communication with (Falcons President) Bruce (Landon),” Howson said, “and we both know that each is interested in pursuing it. There’s been no need to put it in a priority focus right now. But when the time is right, we’ll have those conversations.
“We’re very pleased with that relationship. We think (Springfield) is a great spot for our players.”
NOTES: The Falcons have not only sent players to the NHL, but broadcasters, too. John Michael, who handles rinkside reporting duties on Blue Jackets telecasts, spent two seasons in Springfield before departing for Ohio four years back. He has fond memories of his days with the Falcons. “I loved my time in Springfield,” said Michael. “I felt like I was part of the community. The fans made me feel that way.” ... Michael also has a strong interest in seeing the NBA lockout come to a quick halt, as he has been selected to replace longtime legend Joe Tait – newly retired after 39 seasons – as the new play-by-play voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers. That is, if the balls start bouncing again. “There’s no pressure there,” Michael said with a laugh.