It just felt like the right fit all along.
The Blue Jackets made things official on Tuesday, announcing the hire of Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre as studio analyst for their TV broadcasts on FOX Sports Ohio. Grand-Pierre replaces Bill Davidge, who retired following the 2018-19 season.
Grand-Pierre will team up with Brian Giesenschlag on the team's pre and post-game shows, as well as intermission reports throughout the season. Originally drafted in the seventh round by the St. Louis Blues in 1995, Grand-Pierre made his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres in 1998, and was acquired by the Blue Jackets prior to their inaugural season in 2000-01.
From the club's official statement:
"I am tremendously honored and excited for this opportunity and want to thank the Blue Jackets and FOX Sports Ohio," said Grand-Pierre. "I've always been passionate about the game, this organization and the community. I am looking forward to joining an incredible broadcast team and being a part of a really exciting season for the Blue Jackets and hockey fans across Ohio."
He appeared in 202 games with the Blue Jackets, and put up 7-13-20 and 311 penalty minutes in 269 career NHL games with Columbus, Buffalo, Atlanta and Washington and went on to play professionally in Sweden, Finland and Germany before retiring in 2013.
