Blue Jackets sign Jack Williams to two-year, entry-level deal

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Tuesday they had signed forward Jack Williams to a two-year, entry-level deal that kicks in this season. General Manager Don Waddell says the center is expected to join the team this week.

The 23-year-old Williams just finished his third season of college hockey, captaining the Northeastern Huskies in 2024-25, scoring 16 goals and 25 assists for 41 points in 37 games. The Biddeford, Maine, native led the Huskies in assists this past season.

In three college seasons, Williams had 39 goals and 55 assists for 94 points and 37 penalty minutes in 106 career games.

“Jack Williams is a skilled, hard-working player with a passion for the game, who was a very productive player and leader during his time at Northeastern,” Waddell said. “We think he has great potential and are excited to welcome him to the Blue Jackets family.”

Williams was named to the Hockey East’s All-Academic Teams in 2022-23 and 2023-24, and set a career high in goals in 2023-24 with 17.

The Blue Jackets are 32-29-9 with 73 points, sixth in the Metropolitan Division and two points back of the Montreal Canadiens for the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The team has struggled lately, going 2-7-1 in their last 10 games, falling out of a playoff position and on the outside looking in with 12 games left in the season.

Defenseman Zach Werenski leads the team in points with 69 points, scoring 20 goals and adding 49 assists). The 27-year-old defender, now in his ninth season, has set career highs in all offensive categories, and is expected to be one of the three finalists for the Norris Trophy.