Adam Boqvist became a Blue Jacket in last year’s NHL Draft as part of the comeback when Columbus traded Seth Jones to the Chicago Blackhawks.
A year later, on the eve of the 2022 NHL Draft, Boqvist, a pending restricted free agent, signed a three-year contract extension worth a total of $7.8 million. Boqvist had just completed the final year of his entry-level contract, which he signed with the Blackhawks in 2018 after they selected him with the No. 8 pick in that draft.
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Boqvist struggled with injuries throughout his first season at Columbus, eventually dressing for 52 of 82 games. But while healthy, the right-handed defender launched an impressive attack. Boqvist scored 11 goals – the 10th most among defensemen in the league – and added 11 assists for 22 total points, in his second full NHL season.
At around 6-0 and under 190 pounds, Boqvist is pretty small among the top four defensemen, and the Jackets have tasked him with getting bigger and stronger this offseason. Boqvist will be 22 when training camp begins this fall, giving him plenty of time to complete and develop his defensive game to match his offensive abilities.
“Adam is a talented and mobile defender with the ability and creativity to offer an attack from the blue line,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement. “Despite a few injuries, he had a very good first season with our club at the age of 21 and as he grows and gets stronger we believe he has the potential to be a very impactful player in this league.”
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