FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 28, 2021

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS SIGN DEFENSEMAN GAVIN BAYREUTHER TO TWO-YEAR CONTRACT THROUGH 2022-23 Contract is two-way, NHL/AHL deal for 2021-22 and one-way NHL deal in 2022-23 season

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The have signed defenseman Gavin Bayreuther to a two-year contract through the 2022-23 season, club general manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. The contract is a two-way NHL/ deal for the 2021-22 season and a one-way NHL deal in 2022-23.

Bayreuther, 27, who was previously signed by the Blue Jackets as a free agent on Oct. 9, 2020, was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the Expansion Draft on July 22. He has recorded three goals and three assists for six points with 17 penalty minutes and a cumulative +1 plus/minus rating in 28 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets and since making his NHL debut in 2018-19. He made his Blue Jackets debut on April 19 at Florida and collected 1-0-1 in nine games with the club this past season. The defenseman notched 2-3-5 with 10 penalty minutes in 19 games with the Stars in his other NHL campaign in 2018-19.

The Canaan, New Hampshire native has added 25-78-103 and 98 penalty minutes in 212 career AHL contests with the and since making his professional debut at the end of the 2016-17 campaign. He tallied 3-9-12 in 14 games with the Monsters this past season. In 2019-20, he finished third on Texas in assists and led club defensemen in goals and points (tied) and ranked second in assists with 6-23-29 and 28 penalty minutes in 59 appearances. He set career highs with 7-25-32 in 71 appearances during his first full professional season in 2017-18.

The 6-1, 195-pound blueliner was originally signed by the Stars to an entry level contract on Mar. 15, 2017. Prior to turning pro, he totaled 35-76-111 with 92 penalty minutes and was +24 in 142 career NCAA games at St. Lawrence University from 2013-17. Bayreuther (pronounced BAY-Roo-Thuhr) was named to the NCAA Second All-American Team during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 campaigns. He recorded 29 or more points in three of his seasons, including a career high 9-27-36 in 38 outings as a freshman in 2013-14, garnering ECAC Rookie of the Year accolades.

FULL GAVIN BAYREUTHER STATS

‐ CBJ ‐

Full and partial season tickets for the Blue Jackets’ 2021-22 campaign are currently available for purchase. Information on all ticketing options can be obtained by calling (800) NHL‐COLS or by visiting BlueJackets.com.

Contacts: Todd Sharrock, Vice President of Communications & Team Services – 614/246‐4157 or [email protected] Glenn Odebralski, Manager of Communications – 614/246‐0288 or [email protected] Madison White, Communications Coordinator – 614/246‐4237 or [email protected]