Where are they now: Grant Marshall

In another edition of our continuing Blue Jackets alumni "Where are they now?" series, we'll look at Grant Marshall.

Grant joined the NHL as Toronto's first round pick in 1992. Following a few years in the Leaf's minor league system, he moved to the Dallas Stars in 1994, where he skated until being traded for a second round draft pick from the Jackets in 2001.

Marshall was never a high scorer or 'skill player' as they are sometimes called. At the time he was brought to to Columbus, he was an NHL veteran who won Lord Stanley's cup in 1999 with none other than Ken Hitchcock's Stars. He was brought in to help the young franchise develop.

At right wing, Marshall would be considered a 'power forward' who used his size and force to push his way onto the puck. If he were still with the Jackets today, I'd imagine he would be a 3rd or 4th line winger, probably skating with our grinders.

When skating for Columbus, he wore the number 29, though his number changed when he was traded to the New Jersey Devils for a conditional pick in 2004 draft. Marshall played for New Jersey from 2002-2006. This season has been spent in the Devils' minor league system, playing for the AHL's Lowell Devils.

In his two seasons with Columbus, Marshall played 147 games, scoring 23 goals and 61 pts. He also had 157 penalty minutes.

Grant Marshall at HockeyDB

Photo from SI.com

Where are they now: Lyle Odelein

In this new segment, we'll look at where Blue Jacket alumni are now.

Our first alumnus: Lyle Odelein (D)

Odelein was on the original Jackets roster and played through most of the 01-02 season. He was traded to the Blackhawks for Jaroslav Spacek. Odelein posted a career worst -28 rating with the jackets in 01-02, a far cry from his career best of +35 from his 92-93 season with Montreal. Odelein also served as one of the Jackets' first captains.

Odelein was active in the league through last season. He bounced from the hawks to the stars and panthers before finishing out last season with Pittsburgh. Best I can tell, he retired somewhere between mid last season and the beginning of 06-07.

Odelein is remembered a tough and scrappy defenseman, who stuck up for any of his teammates. I distinctly remember Lyle throwing punches several times. He always had a facefull of characteristic bruises or a black eye.

More Odelein stats are available at the hockey database.