The Blue Jackets seem intent on adding to their defensive depth.
In their second move of the NHL's free agency period, the club signed 33-year-old defenseman Andre Benoit to a one-year, two-way contract. Benoit spent last season with the Malmo Redhawks of the Swedish Hockey League, but prior to that, played parts of five seasons in the NHL with Ottawa, Colorado, Buffalo and St. Louis.
With 181 career NHL games under his belt, Benoit racked up 11 goals and and 37 assists before departing for Sweden last summer.
He's back in North America to give it another go, and will presumably be looked to as one of the leaders for the Cleveland Monsters, who figure to be a young club once again this fall. Benoit is a two-time Calder Cup winner and was outstanding for the Binghamton Senators during their 2011 championship run.
More on Benoit's background:
In 2016-17, Benoit notched 6-18-24 and 22 penalty minutes in 52 regular season games and added 0-2-2 in 13 playoff contests with the Malmö Redhawks of the Swedish Hockey League. Originally signed as a free agent by the Montreal Canadiens on January 9, 2006, Benoit tallied 99-200-299 and 330 penalty minutes in 324 career Ontario Hockey League games with the Kitchener Rangers from 2000-05.
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