By Joe Coopersmith
COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets will begin preparations for the 2024-25 National Hockey League season at the Prospects Challenge to be held from September 13-16 at LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, New York. This year’s participating clubs will include the Blue Jackets along with the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Blue Jackets will be coached in Buffalo by Trent Vogelhuber, head coach of the Cleveland Monsters, the club’s American Hockey League affiliate. The rookie camp roster features 23 players, including 10 that were selected by the team via the NHL Draft. Leading the group of prospects will be two of the club’s first round picks from recent drafts – 2022 first round pick defenseman Denton Mateychuk (12th overall) and 2021 first round pick defenseman Corson Ceulemans (25th overall). Other drafted players scheduled to participate in the tournament include: 2024 – D Charlie Elick, G Evan Gardner, D Luca Marrelli; 2023 – RW Gavin Brindley, C Luca Pinelli, LW Tyler Peddle; 2022 – C Luca Del Bel Belluz; 2021 – LW James Malatesta.
The roster also features four players who signed entry level contracts with the club: LW Max McCue in 2024, C Hunter McKown and RW Cameron Butler in 2023 and G Nolan Lalonde in 2022.
