Updated

Locked out by the NHL, Columbus Blue Jackets forward R.J. Umberger is returning to his alma mater to help coach the Ohio State men's hockey team.

The three-year letterwinner with the Buckeyes, who has spent the last four of his seven NHL seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, will be a volunteer assistant to coach Mark Osiecki.

A former Academic All-Big Ten choice, Umberger continued to work toward his degree after turning pro and earned his bachelor's degree in marketing in the spring of 2011.

Umberger, a Pittsburgh native, has 143 goals and 171 assists in his 551 career NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers and Blue Jackets. He's the first ex-Ohio State player to play with the Blue Jackets.