Jackets' Jack Johnson out for rest of season

COLUMBUS, OH -- Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder Thursday and will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2015-16 season, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Larry Watson at Orthopedic One in Columbus.

Johnson, 29, has tallied six goals and eight assists for 14 points and 25 penalty minutes in 60 games this season. He leads the club in time on ice, averaging 24:10 per game, while leading all club defensemen in goals, power play goals (three) and game-winning goals (two). He has missed the past seven games.

Carolina's first pick, third overall, in the 2005 NHL Draft, he has registered 58-186-244 and 400 penalty minutes in 629 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings. Acquired by Columbus on Feb. 23, 2012, he has collected 28-92-120 and 144 penalty minutes in 286 games as a Blue Jacket. Last season, he picked up 8-32-40 and 44 penalty minutes in 79 games, hitting the 40-point mark for the second time in his NHL career (5-37-42 in 82 games with Los Angeles in 2010-11).

The Blue Jackets return to action on Thursday when they host the Detroit Red Wings. Game time from Nationwide Arena is 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show at 6:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on the Scioto Downs Blue Jackets Radio Network, including Sports Radio 97.1 FM, and online at BlueJackets.com.

(Blue Jackets press release)