The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed Alex Broadhurst to a one-year two-way extension, bringing back one of their best minor league players. Broadhurt made his NHL debut this season, but is likely to spend ample time in the minor leagues again next year.
Broadhurst, 25, was actually scheduled to become a Group VI unrestricted free agent this summer and is coming off a season in which he scored a career-high 19 goals in the minor leagues. The versatile forward has experience at center and on the wing, and is valuable depth for an organization that has struggled to find any down the middle. Held scoreless in his two-game NHL debut, he could be in for another stint should the Blue Jackets face any injuries in 2018-19.
He should also return to the Cleveland Monsters in a leadership capacity after wearing an “A” as an alternate captain this season. Scoring 41 points in 66 games, he finished second in team scoring and was part of the 2015 squad that took home the Calder Cup. That wasn’t the first championship for Broadhurst, who is one of the rare players to also have USHL and OHL titles to his name.