The Columbus Blue Jackets are sending a group of prospects to the NHL Prospects Challenge, held from September 11-15 at the LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, New York. The tournament will feature the Blue Jackets, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, and Pittsburgh Penguins. This event provides an opportunity for young players to showcase their skills and build momentum heading into NHL training camp.
Forwards to Watch
Several intriguing forwards will be representing the Blue Jackets at the Prospects Challenge. Jordan Dumais, a राइट विंगर drafted in 2022, is one such player to keep an eye on. Despite missing significant playing time over the past two years due to injury, Dumais has consistently impressed scouts with his offensive output. Luca Pinelli, a सेंटर, is another forward to watch. Pinelli had a strong junior career and demonstrated his scoring ability in the AHL playoffs with the Cleveland Monsters. Jack Williams, signed as an undrafted free agent from Northeastern University, made his NHL debut in the 2024-25 season finale. His speed and competitiveness could make him a standout at the tournament. Oiva Keskinen is also a forward to keep an eye on.
Defensemen to Watch
On the blue line, Guillaume Richard is a defenseman that the Blue Jackets are very high on. Charlie Elick, a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, will also be participating.
Goaltenders to Watch
Evan Gardner, another second-round pick from the 2024 draft, will be one of the goaltenders representing the Blue Jackets. Nolan Lalonde, who signed an entry-level contract with the club in 2022, will also be participating.
Other Prospects
The Blue Jackets' roster includes a mix of drafted prospects, free-agent signings, and invitees. This setup allows the team to evaluate players within their system and identify potential future acquisitions. Players like Josh Avery, Ryder Boulton, Owen Griffin, Brendan Hoffmann, Max McCue, Ryland Mosley, Tyler Peddle, Nicholas Sima and Evan Van Gorp will also be participating.
The Blue Jackets' Schedule
The Blue Jackets' schedule for the Prospects Challenge is as follows:
- Thursday, Sept. 11 vs New Jersey Devils
- Saturday, Sept. 13 vs Buffalo Sabres
- Sunday, Sept. 14 vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Trent Vogelhuber, head coach of the Cleveland Monsters, will be coaching the Blue Jackets at the Prospects Challenge. This tournament offers a valuable opportunity for these young players to showcase their abilities and compete for a spot in the Blue Jackets' organization.
