For the first time since drafting Zach Werenski in 2015, the Columbus Blue Jackets have a blue-chip prospect playing in the NCAA.
Kent Johnson, the fifth-overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, is a rising sophomore at the University of Michigan, whereas Corson Ceulemans, who was selected 25th overall, is an incoming freshman at the University of Wisconsin.
Both schools are primed to be among the top schools in the country, and Michigan, which made history by becoming the first program in NHL history to have ties to four of the top five picks in the draft, is the unanimous best team in the country.
For many hockey fans, keeping tabs on far-flung prospects can be a chore. Games in the CHL aren't on U.S. tv, and some KHL players are years away from making the jump to Columbus. But in this instance, many Blue Jackets fans will have an opportunity to see these new, prized possessions up close and in person when both schools come through Columbus later this fall or in early 2022 (note: the Big Ten has not yet released their schedule).
In five games against Ohio State a year ago, Johnson posted 2-2-4, but averaged six (!) shots per game, per InStat.
Ceulemans will join a young blueline in Madison, where the team may take a step backward after graduating Cole Caufield to the Montreal Canadiens. But while they aren't as deep as Michigan, the Badgers should still be a formidable team in the Big Ten.
These two aren't the only Blue Jackets' prospects playing in the NCAA this year; 2021 fourth-round pick Guillaume Richard will be entering his freshman season at Providence College, while Robbie Stucker and Peter Thome will be seniors at Vermont and St. Thomas, respectively.
The Bule Jackets may (or may not?) have a challenging season. Flipping to ESPNU on any given night to see one (or both) of the Blue Jackets' top prospects lighting up the NCAA may be a nice change of pace.
