Blue Jackets add former NHLers Modin, Ruutu, Geoffrion to hockey operations

The Columbus Blue Jackets are adding some playing experience to the front office.

Former Blue Jackets forward Fredrik Modin has been named a special assistant to hockey operations, and Jarkko Ruutu has been hired as the club’s first European development coach, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced Monday.

Modin played 176 games as a Blue Jacket from 2006-10, recording 39 goals and 85 points. He's also a member of the exclusive "Triple Gold Club," having won the Stanley Cup (Tampa Bay, 2004), an Olympic gold medal (2006), and World Championships gold medal (1998) with Sweden.

Ruutu appeared in 652 NHL games with Vancouver, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, and Anaheim, recording 142 points and 1,078 penalty minutes from 1999-2011.

Blake Geoffrion, whose career was cut short due to injury, returns to the organization as a pro scout after serving in the same role during the 2013-14 season.