Welcome back to "Who Is that Player?"
Draw a blank no longer for today we look at that famous Predator,
Nick Blankenburg.
The 5 ft 9 26 year old RHD was originally signed by the Blue Jackets as a free agent out of college having attended U of M for all four seasons where he Captained a team in his senior season that included Matty Beniers, Owen Power, Kent Johnson, and Luke Hughes.
Believe it or not, he accumulated 55 NHL appearances over 3 seasons in the void known as Columbus where no information escapes.
Being extremely small isn't easy though, even more so for a defenseman, and the knock on Blankenburg quickly became injuries. With Don Waddell's arrival he swiftly cleared house of many of Jarmo's various projects.
Enter Nashville, who stepped up to sign the diminutive Dman this offseason. Through various waivings and maneuverings they have effectively managed to trade Dante Fabbro to CBJ in return, who by the way is flourishing there and achieving his long-suppressed potential. Trotz master class.
After being one of the team's final training camp cuts, Blankenburg has recently been pressed into service from Milwaukee, playing 16 and half minutes per game (!) and even over a minute per game shorthanded.
I look forward to his career-best performance tonight. I hope his parents had time to fly in after learning he would be featured in this column.
This has been, "Who Is That Player?"
Also a good time to catch up on my
Dakota Mermis profile with the news today that he was claimed by Hockey Club!
