Knights’ Graves signs with Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Jacob Graves to a three-year, two-way NHL/American Hockey League entry level contract, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today.

Graves, 21, recorded a goal and 20 assists for 21 points with 104 penalty minutes and a +34 plus/minus rating in 69 games split between the Oshawa Generals and London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League in 2015-16, including 1-5-6, 45 penalty minutes and +21 in 31 contests with London. He finished fourth among league defensemen in penalty minutes and fifth-T in plus/minus, setting career highs in assists, points, plus/minus and games played. Graves helped the Knights capture the OHL championship with 0-10-10 and 29 penalty minutes, while ranking third in the league with a +26 plus/minus rating in 18 playoff games. He also skated in four contests as London captured the Memorial Cup championship.

#CBJ sign @GoLondonKnights d-man Jacob Graves to an entry level contract.

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— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) July 5, 2016

The Barrie, Ontario native, who attended the Blue Jackets’ development camp last week, recorded 3-39-42 with 452 penalty minutes in 281 career OHL games with London, Oshawa, the Kingston Frontenacs and Mississauga Steelheads over the past five seasons. He made his OHL debut with Mississauga in 2011-12, collecting 0-2-2 and 22 penalty minutes in 34 games. He tallied career highs in goals and penalty minutes with 2-9-11 and 130 penalty minutes with the Steelheads in 2013-14.

For more information, please visit bluejackets.nhl.com.