Drafted in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft, the Columbus Blue Jackets selected D- Corson Ceulemans. Ceulemans elected to attend the University of Wisconsin, where he played for the past two years. At that time, Ceulemans was the Blue Jackets top-ranked prospect before Kent Johnson, David Jiricek, and Denton Mateychuk were drafted by the organization. Ceulemans chose to turn pro after Wisconsin’s season and signed his ELC and, in doing so, became a piece of the Blue Jackets rebuild.
So what type of player is Corson Ceulemans, and how does he fit into the Blue Jackets post-rebuild? For starters, Ceulemans size, 6′ 2″, fits what the Blue Jackets are doing, switching to bigger defensive players. Cuelemans is blessed with excellent skating ability and long stride due to his big frame; the speed Cuelemans generates aids his two-way game.
In the offensive end, Ceulemans is an elite playmaker. Also, the young defender has the ability to bring the puck through the neutral zone and push the play on zone entries. Solid on the forecheck and able to protect the puck. Also, Ceulemans is fearless when shooting the puck and has offensive upside to his game, with eight goals, 15 assists, and 23 points this season at Wisconsin.
Ceulemans defensive game is well-rounded, and excellent lateral mobility allows him to maintain good gap control. Ceulemans said he believes he is ready to play a more physical game. Some aspects of his game are a bit of a work in progress that Ceulemans worked this season to clean up. He tends to fall for head fakes and needs a bit better positioning in the defensive end.
The plan for Corson Ceulemans is to send him to the AHL and the Cleveland Monsters, as the Monsters are making a playoff push. The defensemen has the tools to be a top-four defender. There is a real chance that David Jiricek and Ceulemans will have every opportunity to earn a roster spot during training camp heading into the 2023-’24 NHL season. If not, he will be headed back to Cleveland for more development.
