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The Blue Jackets aren't making waves with signings on the first day of free agency, but they did fill some organizational needs.
After adding to their NHL forward depth by signing Ryan Lomberg, the Blue Jackets addressed the Cleveland Monsters roster July 1 by signing goalie Pheonix Copley, 34, and forward Riley Bezeau, 24, who'll likely be ticketed for AHL duty next season.
Related Ryan Lomberg article: Columbus Blue Jackets sign forward Ryan Lomberg
Copley is 6 feet 4, 205 pounds and has played eight NHL seasons for the Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals and St. Louis Blues. Last season, he got into just one game with the Kings and spent the rest of the season going 21-11-1 with a 2.59 goals-against average and .901 save percentage for the AHL's Ontario Reign.
"Pheonix is a proven NHL goaltender who brings a strong work ethic, valuable experience and dependable depth to our organization,” Blue Jackets president/general manager Don Waddell said in a statement. “He is a great fit for our club, and we’re pleased to welcome him to the Blue Jackets.”
Last season, goalies Ivan Fedotov and Zach Sawchenko split the Monsters' net before both became unrestricted free agents. Copley will likely fill one of those slots as the expected No. 3 goalie on the organizational depth chart behind NHL goalies Jet Greaves and Elvis Merzlikins.
Bezeau (6-0, 187) re-signed on a one-year, two-way contract after finishing with five goals, two assists, seven points and a whopping 74 penalty minutes in 24 games last season for the Monsters.
“Riley is a physical and hard-working forward that competes every shift,” Waddell said, again in a statement. “He has earned his opportunity and we look forward to see his further growth in the Blue Jackets organization.”
Dispatch Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets sign Phoenix Copley, Riley Bezeau
Continue reading...
After adding to their NHL forward depth by signing Ryan Lomberg, the Blue Jackets addressed the Cleveland Monsters roster July 1 by signing goalie Pheonix Copley, 34, and forward Riley Bezeau, 24, who'll likely be ticketed for AHL duty next season.
Related Ryan Lomberg article: Columbus Blue Jackets sign forward Ryan Lomberg
Copley is 6 feet 4, 205 pounds and has played eight NHL seasons for the Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals and St. Louis Blues. Last season, he got into just one game with the Kings and spent the rest of the season going 21-11-1 with a 2.59 goals-against average and .901 save percentage for the AHL's Ontario Reign.
"Pheonix is a proven NHL goaltender who brings a strong work ethic, valuable experience and dependable depth to our organization,” Blue Jackets president/general manager Don Waddell said in a statement. “He is a great fit for our club, and we’re pleased to welcome him to the Blue Jackets.”
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Last season, goalies Ivan Fedotov and Zach Sawchenko split the Monsters' net before both became unrestricted free agents. Copley will likely fill one of those slots as the expected No. 3 goalie on the organizational depth chart behind NHL goalies Jet Greaves and Elvis Merzlikins.
Bezeau (6-0, 187) re-signed on a one-year, two-way contract after finishing with five goals, two assists, seven points and a whopping 74 penalty minutes in 24 games last season for the Monsters.
“Riley is a physical and hard-working forward that competes every shift,” Waddell said, again in a statement. “He has earned his opportunity and we look forward to see his further growth in the Blue Jackets organization.”
Dispatch Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets sign Phoenix Copley, Riley Bezeau
Continue reading...
