Blue Jackets sign Corson Ceulemans to one-year, two-way contract

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Saturday that they have signed defenseman Corson Ceulemans to a one-year, two-way contract extension.

Ceulemans, who the Blue Jackets chose with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, has yet to make his NHL debut, but has proven to be an able contributor to Columbus AHL affiliate Cleveland Monsters.

“Corson is a talented, young defenseman with excellent offensive instincts, skating ability and puck-moving skills,” general manager Don Waddell said via the team’s press release. “He made significant progress last season, and we’re excited to see him take further steps in his career in our organization.”

The former University of Wisconsin Badger wrapped up his third full season since turning pro, recording 8 goals and 16 assists for 24 points in 64 regular season games before chipping in three points in nine games as the Monsters partook in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

A Regina, Saskatchewan native, Ceulemans had 7 points in 3 games in 2024-25, an effort that followed a 12-point, 47-appearance showing in 2023-24.

The Blue Jackets are coming off of a solid season that saw them get off to a slow start before making a late push for the Stanley Cup Playoffs that ultimately fell short in the season’s final weeks.

The change in momentum coincided with Waddell’s decision to dismiss former head coach Dean Evason and bring in Rick Bowness, who signed on to continue on as head coach after the season.

The Jackets finished the year with a 40-30-12 record, their highest point total in a season since making the playoffs in 2018-19.

Waddell has about $32.3 million in space under the salary cap, according to PuckPedia, with which he can make additions to upgrade the roster. Captain Boone Jenner is a pending unrestricted free agent, as are forwards Mason Marchment and Danton Heinen, along with defensemen Brendan Smith and Erik Gudbranson.