The Columbus Blue Jackets have a plethora of prospects all around the world in various leagues. Some of them have been signed to ELCs, and some haven't, but all of them very well could be playing for the Blue Jackets someday.
Let's take a look at where they'll be playing in 2025-26.
The Wrap Around Show
Unsigned Forwards
- Peter Quenneville - C - 31 Years Old | 2013 7th Rd Pick | 2025 Team: Kiekko-Espoo(LIIGA) - Peter Quenneville has never been signed by Columbus, and has played only 1 AHL game for Lake Erie. He's played in Europe since 2016, except from 2019-21. He then left for Europe again the following season. Peter is the 1st cousin of Anaheim Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville.
- Kirill Dolzhenkov - RW - 21 Years Old | 2022 4th Rd Pick | Team: CSKA Moskva(KHL) - Dolzhenkov is a huge forward standing at 6'6'' and 223lbs. The hulking Russian remains unsigned and will play in the KHL next season. There is no deadline to sign him.
- James Fisher - F - 21 years Old | 2022 7th Rd Pick | Team: Northeastern Univ.(NCAA) - The Blue Jackets have until August 15, 2028, to sign Fisher. He played last season at Northeastern and is expected to return for his Sophomore season.
- William Whitelaw - C - 20 years Old | 2023 3rd Rd Pick | Team: Western Michigan(NCAA) - Whitelaw will be playing for his 3rd school in three seasons after announcing he would be transferring to the defending NCAA champion Broncos. Whitelaw remains unsigned by Columbus and has until Aug. 15, 2027, to sign. Whitelaw is similar to Trey Fix-Wolansky in terms of size and has a great shot.
- Cayden Lindstrom - C - 19 Years Old | 2024 1st Rd Pick | Michigan State Univ.(NCAA) - Lindstrom has chosen to go play for the Spartans after a rule was passed to allow Canadian Hockey League players to become eligible for NCAA Division I hockey. He played parts of the last four seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL. Much has been said about his choosing college over turning pro, but after not playing hockey for a year, going to play in college is definitely the best thing for his development. He hasn't signed his ELC, and the CBJ have until Aug 15, 2026, to do so.
Unsigned Defensemen
- Aiden Hreschuk - D - 22 Years Old | 2021 3rd Rd Pick(Carolina) | Team: UNK - Rumors over the summer said that Hreschuk has no plans to sign with Columbus before the Aug. 15, 2025, deadline. He's played the last four seasons at Boston College.
- Nikolai Makarov - D - 22 Years Old | 2021 5th Rd Pick | Team: CSKA Moskva(KHL) - Rumors a few weeks back had Makarov signing his ELC with Columbus, but didn't happen. Instead, he re-signed with CSKA and will play next season with Kirill Dolzhenkov. There is no deadline to sign Makarov.
- Andrew Strathmann - D - 20 Years Old | 2023 4th Rd Pick | Team: Univ. of North Dakota(NCAA) - The CBJ have until Aug. 15, 2028, to get Strathmann signed. He just finished his freshman season at UND and will apparently return for his Sophomore year.
- Tanner Hendricks - D - 19 Years Old | 2024 4th Rd Pick | Team: St. Cloud State Univ.(NCAA) - Hendricks has chosen to go to St. Cloud State after playing for the Lincoln Stars of the USHL for the past two seasons. Hendricks is a large kid at 6-feet-4 and 205lbs, so don't expect him to play too many seasons in college before turning pro. Columbus has until Aug. 15, 2029, to sign Hendricks.
- Luke Ashton - D - 20 Years Old | 2024 6th Rd Pick | Team: Cornell Univ.(NCAA) - Ashton has transferred from Minnesota State Univ. (Mankato) to Cornell Univ. for the 25-26 season. Ashton is another large defenseman chosen by Don Waddell in the '24 draft. They have until Aug. 15, 2028, to get Ashton signed.
Unsigned Goalies
- Sergei Ivanov - G - 21 Years Old | 2022 5th Rd Pick | Team: SKA St. Petersburg(KHL) - Ivanov has bounced around the KHL on loan assignments the past couple of seasons, and will remain there this coming season. The Blue Jackets don't have a deadline to sign him, but I would assume if they're interested in him, they'd want him in North America in the next year or so.
- Melvin Strahl - G - 20 Years Old | 2023 5th Rd Pick | Team: Michigan St Univ.(NCAA) - Strahl came to North America last season to play for the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, and did very well. He'll be playing in Lansing with Cayden Lindstrom next season after committing to Sparty a few months ago. Columbus has until Aug. 15, 2029, to sign Strahl. He's a big goalie at 6-feet-3, and that's something that the Jackets lack right now.
Signed Forwards
- Oiva Keskinen - F - 21 Years Old | 2023 7th Rd Pick | Team: Cleveland Monsters Eligible - There is no word on where Keskinen will play in 25-26, but he has signed his ELC. It's assumed that he'll join the Monsters to start his North American pro career. He signed his ELC on May 16th
- Luca Pinelli - F - 20 Years Old | 2023 4th Rd Pick | Team: Cleveland Monsters - Pinelli signed his ELC in April of 2024, but will turn pro this upcoming season. After having four very good seasons in the OHL, it's finally time for the young Canadian sniper to turn pro.
Signed Defenseman
- Charlie Elick - D - 19 Years Old | 2024 2nd Rd Pick | Team: Cleveland Monsters - Another huge defenseman chose by Don Waddell in the 2024 draft, Elick is ready to turn pro after spending the last few season in the WHL. The Austrian Born defenseman is a big, mobile hitter who is stay at home.
- Luca Marrelli - D - 19 Years Old | 2024 3rd Rd Pick | Team: Cleveland Monsters Eligible - Marrelli is coming off of an unbelievable season for the Ottawa 67's of the OHL. He's played four full seasons in the CHL and will turn 20 on October 4th, so it's assumed he'll turn pro and play for the Monsters.
- Caleb MacDonald - D - 22 Years Old | Undrafted | Team: Cleveland Monsters - MacDonald signed his ELC in March after playing last season at the Univ. of North Dakota. The big defenseman should fit in nicely in Cleveland.
Signed Goalies
- Evan Gardner - G - 19 Years Old | 2024 2nd Rd Pick | Team: Saskatoon Blades(WHL) - Gardner will need to return to his junior team for 25-26 due to age restrictions. He won't be 20 until halfway through next season.
- Nolan Lalonde - G - 21 Years Old | Undrafted | Team: Cleveland Monsters Eligible - Lalonde should be turning pro this season after returning to junior last season.
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