"Goaltender Curtis Sanford was destined for minor-league Springfield when he signed with the Blue Jackets this summer.

Sanford was signed to a two-way contract on July 3, the same day the Jackets signed Mark Dekanich to a one-way deal. On paper, Sanford was clearly No. 3, but an ankle injury to Dekanich and a heavy early-season schedule might soon put Sanford in an NHL game for the first time since the 2008-09 season.

"It could happen early, but we'll see," coach Scott Arniel said yesterday after the second and final day of a minicamp at Miami University. "I want to see how (starter Steve Mason) goes, as well. He hasn't been overworked too much" in the exhibition season."