Blue Jackets assistant GM leaving organization for new job

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Assistant general manager Chris MacFarland is leaving the Columbus Blue Jackets organization for the same position with the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avalanche confirmed the hiring on Monday.

MacFarland originally joined the Blue Jackets in 1999 and served as the club's manager of hockey operations from 2001-07. He was promoted to assistant to the general manager in July 2007 and a year later was named the club's assistant general manager.

With the Blue Jackets, MacFarland assisted the club in all hockey-related matters including scouting, player contract research and negotiations, salary cap management and arbitration, collective bargaining agreement administration, budgeting and team scheduling issues. He also oversaw hockey operations efforts of the club's minor league affiliates.