Columbus, OH (Best E Casino) - The Columbus Blue Jackets signed free agent defenseman Mike Commodore to a five-year contract Tuesday. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not released.

"We are building a team identity based on competitiveness and being hard to play against and Mike fits that very well," general manager Scott Howson said. "He is a physical presence on the blue line, has won championships at various levels throughout his career and we think he will be an excellent addition to our hockey club."

The six-foot-five, 228-pound Edmonton-area native has appeared in 296 career NHL games and totaled 14 goals, 63 points and 439 penalty minutes with the Devils, Flames, Hurricanes and Senators.

Commodore won a Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006, appearing in another Cup Final with Calgary in 2004. He also was part of North Dakota's NCAA hockey title in 2000.