Jon "Nasty" Mirasty Update

Just wanted to give a quick update on Jon Mirasty, the centerpiece for a E-Ticket story Patrick Hruby inked last year for ESPN's Page 2. Mirasty continues to see regular ice time for the Syracuse Crunch, the Columbus Blue Jackets's AHL affiliate. Mirasty has skated in all 16 games, registering no points and 84 PIMs. His PIM total are second in the AHL to San Antonio Rampage tough guy, Francis Lessard. Mirasty is far ahead of his PIM pace from last year when he totaled 181 for the season.

Mirasty's legend continues to grow in the AHL with each fight. The bowling ball head, steel knuckled brawler recently scrapped with Paul Bissonette, who was sent down by the Pittsburgh Penguins last week. Mirasty once again showed that his fighting skills are NHL-ready against Bissonette as he overwhelmed with quick left and rights showing his ability to switch hands.

With yet another impressive performance, hockey fight finatics are waiting for the day Nasty gets the call up. Jared Boll, the Blue Jackets' current resident tough guy has been active lately, but very tentative due to a string of injuries including a broken hand. And while Boll is an effective middleweight for the Jackets, his size doesn't allow him to stand in with the impressive heavies in the Western Conference including Derek Boogaard, Jody Shelly, George Parros, and Raitis Ivanans. That is Mirasty's opportunity. Word out of Syracuse is he continues to work hard to strengthen his skating skills to make sure he isn't a liability on the ice. Mirasty is a -1 this year, indicating his ability to remain responsible and keep up with the pace of the game.