Matt Calvert signs three-year extension with Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed left wing Matt Calvert to a three-year contract through the 2017-18 National Hockey League season, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed.
Calvert, 25, posted 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points with 28 penalty minutes and a +1 plus/minus rating while averaging 15:59 of ice time in 56 games with the Blue Jackets during the 2014-15 season. He registered career highs in goals, game-winners (3) and shots (93), while tying his career high in games played. He skated in his 200th career NHL game on February 22, 2015 at the NY Rangers and finished the season with 7-4-11 in his final 18 appearances.
"Matt Calvert is a heart and soul player, who works hard on and off the ice and is a relentless competitor at both ends of the rink," said Kekalainen. "He's been an important contributor to our team and we are excited that he will continue to be a part of our organization moving forward."
A native of Brandon, Manitoba, Calvert has tallied 42-44-86 and 141 penalty minutes on 14:15 of average ice time in 209 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets since beginning his professional career in 2010-11. He set career highs in assists, points, penalty minutes and games played, notching 9-15-24 with 53 penalty minutes in 56 games in 2013-14.
Columbus' fifth pick, 127th overall, in the 2008 NHL Draft, Calvert has also collected 40-42-82 with 103 penalty minutes and a +6 plus/minus rating in 128 career American Hockey League games with the Springfield Falcons. He spent his junior career with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League, racking up 99-131-230 with 181 penalty minutes and a +83 plus/minus rating in 198 career games from 2007-10.
