The Syracuse Crunch announced today that the Columbus Blue Jackets reassigned centers Sean Pronger and Andrej Nedorost, right wing Chris Nielsen and defenseman Derrick Walser to Syracuse. The Crunch also announced that they returned center Preston Mizzi to Dayton (ECHL).

Pronger, 29, appeared in 54 games this season with the Crunch, recording 23 goals, 26 assists and 53 penalty minutes. In 26 games with Columbus, Pronger recorded three goals, one assist and four penalty minutes. A native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Pronger was claimed off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets form the New York Islanders on May 18, 2001.

Nedorost, 21, appeared in 37 games with Syracuse this season, recording 5 goals, 13 assists and 28 penalty minutes. In seven games with Columbus, Nedorost recorded two assists and two penalty minutes. A native of Trencin, Slovakia, Nedorost was Columbus’ 10th pick, 286th overall, in the 2000 Entry Draft.

Nielsen, 22, played in 47 games this season with Syracuse, recording 12 goals, 12 assists and 18 penalty minutes. In 22 games this season with Columbus, Nielsen recorded two goals, three assists and four penalty minutes. A native of Moshi, Tanzania, Nielsen was acquired by Columbus from the New York Islanders for a 4th and 9th round selection in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Walser, 23, recorded a team-high 61 points (23g, 26a) in 73 games with Syracuse this season. In his first call-up with Columbus, Walser appeared in two games and recorded his first NHL goal Friday night, against the Atlanta Thrashers. A native of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Walser was signed as a free agent by Columbus on September 12, 2001.

Mizzi, 21, appeared in 27 games with Syracuse this season, tallying 3 goals, 3 assists and 37 penalty minutes. In 44 games with Dayton earlier in the season, Mizzi recorded 18 goals, 24 assists and 126 penalty minutes. A native of Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Mizzi signed an AHL contract with Syracuse on September 19, 2001.

The Crunch’s first two games of the first series against Philadelphia are tonight at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the Crunch office at (315) 473-4444, stopping by the Oncenter Box Office, located on the State Street side of the War Memorial or by calling TicketMaster at (315) 472-0700.

Pictured: Sean Pronger, previous page; Derrick Walser, above.