Capitals Acquire Jason Chimera from Columbus for Chris Clark, Milan Jurcina

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have acquired left wing Jason Chimera from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for right wing Chris Clark and defenseman Milan Jurcina, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.

Chimera (chih-MAIR-uh), 30, is an 11-year pro who has played 461 NHL games between Columbus and Edmonton. He has recorded eight goals and nine assists (17 points) while playing all 39 games this season. A 6’2”, 216-pound left-hand shot, he stood tied for sixth on the Blue Jackets in goals and tied for eighth in points.

In his career Chimera has scored at least 14 goals four times, posted at least 30 points three times and topped 90 penalty minutes three times. He has played all but 36 games since the start of the 2005-06 season. A native of Edmonton, Alberta, he was drafted by the Oilers in the fifth round of the 1997 NHL Draft and joined the Blue Jackets via trade from Phoenix (which held his rights during the 2004-05 work stoppage).

Clark, 33, was in his fifth year with the Capitals, his fourth as team captain. He totaled 60 goals and 63 assists (123 points) in 240 games with Washington. Jurcina, 26, played four seasons with the Capitals and had six goals and 30 assists (36 points) in 211 games.

Jason Chimera       
Left Wing
Ht.: 6’2”        Wt.: 216        Shoots: Left
Born: May 2, 1979 (Edmonton, Alberta)
Drafted: Edmonton’s fifth-round choice, 121st overall, in the 1997 Entry Draft

Year    Team    League    GP    G    A    Pts    PIM    +/-    PP    SH    GW    S    GP    G    A    Pts    PIM
1996-97    Medicine Hat    WHL    71    16    23    39    64    -    -    -    -    -    4    0    1    1    4
1997-98    Medicine Hat    WHL    72    34    32    66    93    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -
    Hamilton    AHL    4    0    0    0    8    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -
1998-99    Medicine Hat    WHL    37    18    22    40    84    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -
    Brandon    WHL    21    14    12    26    32    -    -    -    -    -    5    4    1    5    8
1999-00    Hamilton    AHL    78    15    13    28    77    -    -    -    -    -    10    0    2    2    12
2000-01    Edmonton    NHL    1    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    -    -    -    -    -
    Hamilton    AHL    78    29    25    54    93    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -
2001-02    Edmonton    NHL    3    1    0    1    0    -3    0    0    0    3    -    -    -    -    -
    Hamilton    AHL    77    26    51    77    158    -    -    -    -    -    15    4    6    10    10
2002-03    Edmonton    NHL    66    14    9    23    36    -2    0    1    4    90    2    0    2    2    0
2003-04    Edmonton    NHL    60    4    8    12    57    -1    0    0    1    79    -    -    -    -    -
2004-05    AS Varese Hockey    Italy    15    7    3    10    34    -    -    -    -    -    5    2    1    3    31
2005-06    Columbus    NHL    80    17    13    30    95    -10    1    1    5    127    -    -    -    -    -
2006-07    Columbus    NHL    82    15    21    36    91    2    2    2    2    151    -    -    -    -    -   
2007-08    Columbus    NHL    81    14    17    31    98    -5    1    1    3    198    -    -    -    -    -
2008-09    Columbus    NHL    49    8    14    22    41    8    1    0    1    115    4    0    1    1    2
2009-10    Columbus    NHL    39    8    9    17    47    -7    1    0    1    92    -    -    -    -    -
NHL TOTALS        461    81    91    172    465    -18    6    5    17    855    6    0    3    3    2

AHL First All-Star Team (2002)