Blue Jackets sign Peeke to entry level contract

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed former Notre Dame captain Andrew Peeke to a three-year, entry level contract through the 2020-21 season, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. The 6-3, 198-pound defenseman recently completed his junior campaign at the University of Notre Dame and is expected to join the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Tuesday.

Peeke, 21, set career highs in assists, points, penalty minutes and games played (tied) this season with three goals and 21 assists for 24 points with 24 penalty minutes in 40 contests. He finished second on the Fighting Irish in assists and was fourth in points and power play goals (three, tied). He also ranked second among team blueliners in assists, points and penalty minutes.

The Parkland, Florida native was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team after leading the Irish to the tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Notre Dame's season ended with a 4-0 loss to the University of Massachusetts in the NCAA Northeast Regional Final last Saturday.

"Andrew is a mobile defenseman who has the ability to make plays at both end of the ice," said Kekalainen. "He also possesses great character and leadership qualities and we are excited to see his game continue to grow in the coming years."

PEEKE: A model of consistency

Peeke registered 12-40-52 with 62 penalty minutes and a +20 plus/minus rating in 119 career games at Notre Dame from 2016-19. He helped the Fighting Irish capture the 2017-18 Big Ten championship and set career highs in goals and plus/minus with 5-9-14, 22 penalty minutes and was +12 in 39 games as a sophomore. He was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team in 2016-17 after collecting 4-10-14 and 16 penalty minutes in 40 games in 2016-17.

Peeke helped the United States capture a bronze medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championships with 1-1-2 in seven games. He was selected by the Blue Jackets in the second round, 34th overall, at the 2016 NHL Draft.