Nashville, Tenn. (September 13, 2012) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed defenseman Jonathon Blum to a one-year, two-way contract worth $650,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level.

Blum, 23 (1/30/89), played in 33 games with Nashville in 2011-12, recording seven points (3g-4a), and 48 games with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals, notching 26 points (4g-22a). The 6-1, 191-pound blueliner saw his first action with the Predators in 2010-11, playing 23 regular season games before suiting up for all 12 of the team’s 2011 postseason contests, recording two assists and ranking fourth among team defensemen in average ice time (18:51). In 56 career regular season NHL contests, Blum has 15 points (6g-9a).

A native of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Blum became the first native of the Golden State to be selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft when Nashville selected him 23rd overall in the 2007 Entry Draft. Blum rounded out a decorated junior career with the Vancouver Giants (WHL) in 2009 by being named CHL Defenseman of the Year, and as the franchise’s all-time leader in defensive scoring (248gp, 49g-155a-204pts). During his tenure, the team claimed four division titles, two conference titles, a WHL Championship and a Memorial Cup Championship.