Blue Jackets Extend Contract for First-Round Pick Corson Ceulemans

The Columbus Blue Jackets have secured one of their promising young talents, signing defenseman Corson Ceulemans to a one-year, two-way contract extension. The agreement will see Ceulemans carry an $850,000 cap hit at the NHL level, while he will earn $95,000 in the AHL.

Ceulemans, a 6-foot-2 defenseman, had a breakout season with the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL, appearing in 64 games and achieving career highs with eight goals, 16 assists, and a total of 24 points. This performance marks a significant step forward for the 2021 first-round pick as he continues to hone his skills.

Though Ceulemans has yet to make his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets, there is optimism that he could make the leap during the 2026-27 season. His potential to evolve into a solid NHL-caliber defenseman remains intact, and his development will be closely watched in the upcoming campaign.

Over the course of his four seasons with the Monsters, Ceulemans has played in 157 AHL games, tallying 14 goals, 31 assists, and 45 points, alongside 90 penalty minutes. As the Blue Jackets look to the future, Ceulemans’ growth will be vital to their defensive lineup.

Looking ahead, the Blue Jackets will participate in the NHL Draft on June 26 and 27 in Buffalo, where they hold the 14th pick. Fans can stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.