After playing in Switzerland, Gerbe glad for NHL shot

PHILADELPHIA — Nathan Gerbe said this season has been particularly difficult, and not only because of all the travel.

This hockey season for Gerbe started in Switzerland, moved on to a minor-league stint in Cleveland and finally found its way to Philadelphia and the NHL on Thursday night.

Gerbe, 30, was called up by the Blue Jackets on Wednesday night and he played his first NHL game in almost two years at Wells Fargo Center as he manned the right side of center Lukas Sedlak and winger Zac Dalpe.

“I’m grateful and excited,” Gerbe said before the Jackets took on the Flyers.

“It has been a long year and I’m grateful for the opportunity. The NHL is obviously where everyone wants to play.”

Did Gerbe ever lose hope of reaching the NHL again?

After all, he played eight seasons with Buffalo and Carolina before joining the Rangers at training camp in 2016. When New York didn’t offer him a roster spot and instead wanted to send him to the minors, Gerbe signed a two-year deal in Switzerland instead.

“You never know; hockey is a funny world,” said Gerbe, who parted ways with his Swiss team last month and signed on with Columbus.

“If you’re confident and stick with doing the right things, you’re confident the opportunity will come back for you. Playing in Cleveland was huge. I wanted to prove myself to the organization that I could play.”

Columbus coach John Tortorella said he knows what to expect from Gerber.

“You know how he plays; he chases it down, is an energy guy who has played in the league before,” Tortorella said. “I have watched him throughout his career. … One thing with Gerbe: He could be playing street hockey and he has hungry. That’s just the way he’s built.”

The Blue Jackets had another new face in the building for Thursday’s morning skate, as defenseman Taylor Chorney joined the team after being claimed off waivers from the Washington Capitals.

Unlike Gerbe, Chorney did not make his Jackets debut on Thursday.

“We’ll see where it goes,” Tortorella said. “He will get an opportunity here eventually.”

Chorney hopped a train in Washington on Wednesday afternoon after being claimed by the Jackets and joined the team less than two hours later in Philadelphia.

“When you get put on waivers, you don’t set your hopes too high because so many guys pass through,” he said. “I’m very thankful the Blue Jackets picked me up, and I’m excited about the opportunity.”

What about Sonny?

Sonny Milano has been back on the ice after dealing with an oblique injury for the past few weeks, yet he was sent to AHL Cleveland as the Jackets have recalled Zac Dalpe and Gerbe.

Though Milano doesn’t fit the mold of a fourth-line player the Jackets currently need, Tortorella said the team is paying attention to the young winger, who has eight goals in 35 games with the Jackets.

“Sonny has played in one game there since his injury,” Tortorella said. “We’re certainly going to watch what he’s doing.”