Dubois, 19, has solidified spot with Blue Jackets

RALEIGH, N.C. — At this time last year, Pierre-Luc Dubois was a young hockey player on the move. Literally. One of the top players in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Dubois had been traded — in a blockbuster deal in junior hockey circles — in December from the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles after parts of three seasons to the BlainvilleBoisbriand Armada.

“It was a new challenge for me, that’s for sure,” Dubois said.

Fast forward a year. Dubois isn’t going anywhere.

Last month, the Blue Jackets told him to go ahead and find his own place if he wanted to. Dubois ended up moving out of the bedroom he used at defenseman David Savard’s place as family from Canada has joined him at his new living quarters in Columbus for Christmas.

At this time last season, Dubois was preparing for the World Juniors. Saturday, he was centering the top line of an NHL team.

“Last year feels like a long time ago,” said Dubois, 19, who centers Josh Anderson and Artemi Panarin on the Jackets’ top line.

“I have met some great people, learned a lot in the past year. But it feels like a long, long time ago. So much has happened.”

Although Columbus could have sent Dubois back to juniors for one more season, it was obvious early on that he belonged in the big leagues. Dubois made his NHL debut on opening night against the Islanders and scored his first NHL goal.

“I thought … in the second half, after adjusting to the league and getting familiar with everything, and getting comfortable, I believed he could have an impact on our team,” GM Jarmo Kekalainen said. “I think he’s ahead of schedule. He’s having an impact on our team right now.”

Dubois started the year as a bottom-six forward, but that didn’t last. Due to injuries — and things just not working out — the Jackets moved their 6-foot-3, 207-pound center up to the top of the forward combos.

“Every game we play seems to give him more confidence; he’s just full of confidence right now,” Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson said. “He is protecting the puck, is moving his feet and isn’t scared to make a play. You see his big body and his speed, he’s very effective out there. He didn’t get many minutes early on, but when he got his opportunity, he shined.”

Said coach John Tortorella: “He has slowly gone about his business and has gained confidence. He has been a guy who doesn’t worry about the noise around him; he just concentrates on his game and tries to get better. He’s a good pro. He’s getting better step by step. He has such a bright future.”

For Dubois, who has six goals and 14 points in 33 games, a lot of what he is going through with the Blue Jackets these days is new to him.

The son of a hockey coach, Dubois gets the hockey-side of things, but he still is a teenager traveling North America as part of a professional hockey team.

Dubois says he is enjoying every minute of this new adventure.

So, too, are the Blue Jackets.

“This has been really cool,” Dubois said. “When you’re a rookie, everything is new from the rinks to the teams and the players. It happens once in your life. I’m trying to embrace it, but still concentrate on my game.”

Slap shots

The Blue Jackets made some roster moves before heading to Boston on Sunday afternoon, bringing forward Sonny Milano back from Cleveland of the AHL. Columbus also recalled defenseman Cameron Gaunce. Jordan Schroeder was sent back to Cleveland, as was Gabriel Carlsson.