Jackets sign 6-5 center Vigneault

Two weeks ago, when the Blue Jackets landed in Ottawa on the night before they played the Senators, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, assistant general manager Bill Zito and coach John Tortorella took a side trip to Potsdam, New York, home of Clarkson University.

The Jackets’ brass had been tracking Clarkson’s Sam Vigneault for more than a year, inviting the 6- foot- 5 center to their development camp last summer.

But this was a final look before the summer college signing season started, and the Blue Jackets liked what they saw.

Vigneault signed a two- year entry- level contract with the Blue Jackets, ending his run at Clarkson after his junior season.

He’s expected to make his pro debut this weekend with the Blue Jackets’ affiliate in Cleveland and will finish the season with the Monsters playing under an amateurtryout agreement, much like Blue Jackets rookie defenseman Zach Werenski did last season.

“(Vigneault’s) is a big kid and he’s a good player,” Kekalainen said. “We think he has a chance to play (in the NHL).”

Vigneault, 21, has played three seasons at Clarkson, totaling 30 goals, 45 assists and 79 penalty minutes in 106 games. Clarkson (18-16-5) ended its season Sunday when it was eliminated from the Eastern College Athletic Conference tournament by Cornell.

Staying put

New Albany’s Kiefer Sherwood, who just finished his sophomore season at Miami University, has informed NHL teams that he plans to return to college next season. At least four clubs had expressed interest in signing him to a free agent contract.

Slap shots

After missing Monday’s win in Philadelphia, captain Nick Foligno was back in the lineup Thursday against the Florida Panthers, making Lauri Korpikoski a healthy scratch. … The Blue Jackets activated Lukas Sedlak (oblique strain) from injured reserve, but he was not in uniform for the Panthers game.