The Blue Jackets have acquired forward Paul Thompson from the Penguins in exchange for forward Spender Machacek, club GM Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. Thompson, 25, has been assigned to the AHL’s Springfield Falcons.

Thompson has scored 35 goals and dished out 29 assists for 64 points in 170 career AHL games with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. 

Prior to turning pro, Thompson spent four seasons (2007-11) at the U. of New Hampshire. The forward recorded 57-55-112 during his 140-game NCAA career. He was named Hockey East’s Player of the Year in 2010-11 after leading the conference in scoring with 28-24-52 in 39 games played for the Wildcats.

Machacek, 25, has recorded 9-10-19 in 34 games with the Falcons this season. Atlanta’s first pick, 67th overall, at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Machacek has tallied 2-7-9 in 25 career NHL games with the Jets/Thrashers franchise and 107-151-258 in 393 career AHL games with Springfield, Chicago and St. John’s.