Blue Jackets Ink Defenseman John Ramage to NHL/AHL Two-Year Deal

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Blue Jackets announced today they have signed defenseman John Ramage to a two-year, two-way NHL/AHL contract extension through the 2017-18 season, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Ramage, 25, has recorded six goals and 10 assists for 16 points with 49 penalty minutes and a +2 plus/minus rating this season with Cleveland’s Lake Erie Monsters, Columbus’ American Hockey League affiliate. Playing in his first season with the organization, he has set AHL career highs and is second among club defensemen in goals and points.

Signed by Columbus to a one-year NHL/AHL contract on July 3, 2015, he has tallied 9-23-32 and 176 penalty minutes in 156 career AHL games with the Monsters, Adirondack Flames and Abbotsford Heat. The Mississauga, Ontario native posted 3-12-15 and 81 penalty minutes in 57 games with the Flames in 2014-15. He also made his NHL debut with Calgary last season on April 11, 2015 at Winnipeg.

Calgary’s third pick, 103rd overall, in the 2010 NHL Draft, Ramage notched 14-39-53, 237 penalty minutes and +28 in 157 career games at the University of Wisconsin (WCHA).

He served as team captain in his final two seasons, including leading Wisconsin to a WCHA championship as a senior after notching 8-12-20 with 65 penalty minutes and a +15 plus/minus rating in 42 games in 2012-13. He has also represented Team USA in 20 games in international competition, helping the Americans capture gold at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championships, 2010 IIHF World Junior Championships and captaining them to a bronze at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championships.