Blue Jackets sign Dean Kukan to two-year contract extension

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Dean Kukan to a two-year contract extension through the 2021-22 National Hockey League season, club General Manager and Alternate Governor Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. As is club policy terms were not disclosed.
Kukan, who is currently sidelined due to a knee injury, has collected one goal and four assists for five points with 12 penalty minutes, while averaging 15:58 of ice time in 33 games this season. In 77 career NHL games with Columbus, he has tallied 1-13-14, 20 penalty minutes and a +8 plus/minus rating. He made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut in 2019, scoring a goal and adding two penalty minutes in 10 contests.
"Dean is a smart and quick, puck-moving defenseman that has improved steadily since joining our organization in 2015," said Kekalainen. "We are very happy that he will continue to be an important part of our club's deep and talented group of defensemen."

Kukan, 26, originally signed with the Blue Jackets as a free agent on June 1, 2015 after spending three-plus seasons with Lulea in the Swedish Hockey League. He made his North American Debut with the Lake Erie Monsters in 2015-16 and has collected 9-50-59 and 71 penalty minutes in 142 career American Hockey League games with Lake Erie/Cleveland and helped the club capture the 2016 Calder Cup championship.
The 6-2, 192-pound native of Volketswil, Switzerland has also represented his country in numerous international competitions, including the 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018 IIHF World Championships and the 2012 and 2013 IIHF World Junior Championships. He helped the squad capture a silver medal at the 2018 World Championships.