Columbus Blue Jackets signs defenseman Grant Clitsome to 2-year Deal –NHL Offseason Update
Columbus Blue Jackets, who finished 13th in the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Western Conference, re-signed its defenseman, Grant Clitsome, to a third and fourth year extension with the team in a two-year deal which was agreed on by the team
and Clitsome on Friday.
"I've had a chance this (offseason) to reflect and really appreciate how much my life and my career have changed in the last six months", Clitsome said after signing the contract. "I was still playing in the (minor-leagues) at Christmas, and now this”.
At first the financial terms of the contract were undisclosed but after revelation through a local city newspaper, it has been known that Clitsome signed a two-year contract worth $2.5 million, in which he will receive $1.1 million in the next season and
$1.4 million in the following one.
The deal was finalised before Clitsome would become an unrestricted free agent on the 1st of July which would enable any team in the NHL to approach him and grab the 26-year-old defenseman.
"He showed he's a pretty well-rounded player. His shot is certainly above average, and he gets it through to the goalie. It's a good wrist shot, but he can slap it, too. It was much-needed on our team, and he came in and provided it for us", said Columbus
Blue Jackets’ General Manager, Scott Howson.
A native of Gloucester, Ontario, Canada, Clitsome played 31 games during the 2010-2011 regular season in which he registered 19 points, including 15 assists and four goals with a plus two rating throughout the season.
Clitsome was drafted in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by Columbus Blue Jackets as the 271st overall pick in the ninth round but continued to play in the minor leagues until finally being signed on to the team as part of the 2009-2010 season.
Since Blue Jackets is dedicated to improve ahead of next season, keeping Clitsome has been one of its techniques along with a few other players it has retained and instead of using Clitsome as a recall player from the farm leagues, the team management wishes
to use him full time now.
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