My how the tables have turned.
Earlier today the Columbus Blue Jackets were down two defenders. Shortly after losing Ian Cole to the Colorado Avalanche and Jack Johnson to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Jackets evened things out by picking up Adam Clendening and Tommy Cross. With the addition of Dillon Simpson’s two-year, two-way contract, the Jackets are up a defender for the 2018-19 season.
Simpson was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He didn’t see ice time with the Oilers organization until after graduating from the University of North Dakota in 2014. While at UND, he notched 75 points in the form of 16 goals and 59 assists. He also was their fearless leader during the 2013-14 season.
Most of Simpson’s time with the Oilers was spent on their AHL teams, the Oklahoma City Barons and Bakersfield Condors. In 245 games between the AHL and NHL, he tallied 66 points.
Simpson, like Clendening and Cross, is a proven leader who has no qualms with helping mold younger players to become better hockey players.