Antoine Vermette Antoine Vermette ( born July 20 , 1982 ) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player , an alternate captain for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League ( NHL ) . Playing career . QMJHL . Vermette played four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League ( QMJHL ) . Upon being drafted , he returned to the QMJHL for two more seasons and recorded a major junior career high 119 points in 2000 – 01 . In his final year of junior , Vermette was limited to just 4 games during the regular season due to an mis - diagnosed nerve problem in his neck originally thought to be Post Concussion Syndrome . He returned in the playoffs to contribute 26 points in 22 games , leading the Tigres to the 2002 President ' s Cup as QMJHL champions and an appearance in the 2002 Memorial Cup in Guelph , finishing with a silver medal from the tournament , falling in the finals to the Kootenay Ice . Ottawa Senators . Coming out of major junior , Vermette played the 2002 – 03 season with Ottawa ' s American Hockey League ( AHL ) affiliate , the Binghamton Senators . In 74 games , Vermette scored 18 goals and 20 assists and earned a place on the AHL All - Rookie Team . The following season , Vermette earned an NHL roster spot with Ottawa out of training camp . In his rookie NHL season , Vermette would appear in 57 games , scoring 14 points . During the 2004 – 05 NHL lockout , Vermette returned to Binghamton and scored 28 goals and 45 assists , second in team scoring only to Jason Spezza . As NHL play resumed the next season , Vermette broke out with 21 goals . He proved to be a valuable part of the Senators ' lineup , providing valuable secondary scoring behind the number one line of Heatley , Spezza , and Alfredsson . His 6 shorthanded goals were good enough for second in the league . The Senators were considered Stanley Cup contenders by many , but were upset by the Buffalo Sabres in five games . In the off - season , he signed a two - year contract on July 18 worth approximately $ 2 million . In 2006 – 07 , Vermette continued to improve , increasing his points total to 39 points , spending the majority of the season on a checking line with fellow penalty - killer Chris Kelly . The duo were rarely apart . On December 2 , 2006 , Vermette famously scored from behind the net through his legs on the short side against the Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Johan Holmqvist . The goal became well - known around the league and was named TSN ' s " Goal of the Season " . During the playoffs , Vermette recorded 5 points in 20 games and helped the Senators to the Prince of Wales Trophy as Eastern Conference champions before losing the Stanley Cup to the Anaheim Ducks in five games . Vermette recorded his first career hat trick on April 3 , 2008 , against Vesa Toskala in a 8 - 2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs . After completing another career - year in 2007 – 08 , recording personal bests with 24 goals , 29 assists and 53 points , Vermette re - signed with the Senators on July 31 , 2008 , to a two - year $ 2 . 525 million contract , avoiding arbitration . Columbus Blue Jackets . Leading up to the 2009 NHL trade deadline , Vermette was widely rumored to be the subject of trade talks between the Senators and the Columbus Blue Jackets . Columbus GM Scott Howson , looking for scoring help as his team attempted to make the playoffs for the first time in its history , was reportedly offering goalie Pascal Leclaire in exchange for Vermette . It later became official , on March 4 , as Vermette was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the 2009 trade deadline for Leclaire and a 2009 2nd round pick ( which ended up being Robin Lehner ) .