LogoCOLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Former Collegians

7 – Sean Kuraly – Miami (2012-16)

  • NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year and honorable mention all-conference as a senior
  • Team captain as a senior
  • Teammates included Austin Czarnik

8 – Zach Werenski* – Michigan (2014-16)

  • First-team All-American as a sophomore
  • Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all-conference as a sophomore
  • First-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Rookie Team selection as a freshman
  • Teammates included Tyler Motte, Kyle Connor, J.T. Compher

11 – Adam Fantilli – Michigan (2022-23)

  • Won Hobey Baker Award after leading NCAA in points, goals
  • Also earned first-team All-America honors
  • Named Big Ten Rookie of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten
  • Won gold medal with Canada at 2023 World Junior Championship
  • Teammates included Luke Hughes

13 – Johnny Gaudreau – Boston College (2011-14)

  • 2014 Hobey Baker Award winner after leading the nation in goals, assists and points
  • Two-time Hockey East Player of the Year, first-team All-American and first-team All-Hockey East selection
  • Won the 2012 NCAA championship
  • MVP of the 2012 Beanpot and the Hockey East Tournament
  • Unanimous selection to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team

17 – Justin Danforth – Sacred Heart (2013-17)

72 – Carson Meyer – Miami (2016-18); Ohio State (2018-20)

  • Teammates included Dakota Joshua (OSU), Kiefer Sherwood (MU)

91 – Kent Johnson* – Michigan (2020-22)

  • All-Big Ten Honorable Mention both seasons at Michigan
  • Big Ten All-Rookie Team as a freshman
  • Teammates included Cam York, Owen Power, Matty Beniers,
  • 2022 Canadian Olympian

* = on Injured Reserve


Front Office

Director of Player Personnel, AHL GM Chris Clark Clarkson (1994-98)
Goaltending Development Coach Brad Thiessen Northeastern (2006-09)
Strength & Conditioning Coach Kevin Collins SUNY Brockport (2001-05)
European Player Development Coach Jarkko Ruutu Michigan Tech (1995-96)
Pro Scout Todd White Clarkson (1993-97)
Amateur Scout Chris Shero Boston College (2015-17)
AHL Head Coach Trent Vogelhuber Miami (2008-12)
AHL Associate Coach Mike Haviland Elmira (1989-90)
AHL Strength & Conditioning Coach Ben Eaves Boston College (2004-04)


In the Minors

Nick Blankenburg – Michigan (2018-22)

  • All-Big Ten Honorable Mention each of his last three seasons
  • Received Big Ten Sportsmanship Award as a senior
  • Served as team captain as a senior
  • Teammates includes Quinn Hughes, Josh Norris, Owen Power, Kent Johnson, Cam York, Matty Beniers

Corson Ceulemans – Wisconsin (2021-23)

  • All-Big Ten Honorable Mention as a sophomore

Josh Dunne – Clarkson (2018-21)

Hunter McKown – Colorado College (2020-23)

  • Led team in scoring as a junior and senior
  • All-NCHC Honorable Mention in 2022-23
  • Teammates included Josiah Slavin

Zach Okabe – St. Cloud State (2019-24)

  • Teammates included Nick Perbix, Jack Ahcan

Justin Pearson – Yale (2018-22); Connecticut (2022-23)

  • All-Ivy League Honorable Mention as a sophomore
  • Teammates at Yale included Joe Snively

Owen Sillinger – Bemidji State (2018-22)

  • Second-team All-CCHA in 2021-22
  • Third-team All-WCHA in 2019-20
  • All-WCHA Rookie Team as a freshman
  • Older brother of current Columbus forward Cole Sillinger
  • Younger brother Lukas Sillinger plays for Arizona State
  • Son of former NHL forward Mike Sillinger

Billy Sweezey – Yale (2016-20)


College Draft Picks

Gavin Brindley – So., F, Michigan – 2nd (34), 2023

  • Big Ten Player of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten as a sophomore
  • Won bronze medal with Team USA at 2023 World Junior Championship

Aidan Hreschuk – Jr., D, Boston College – 3rd (94), 2021 (by Carolina)

Guillaume Richard– Jr., D, Providence – 4th (101), 2021

William Whitelaw – Fr., F, Wisconsin – 3rd (66), 2023