The Columbus Blue Jackets have activated Elvis Merzlikins off Injured Reserve and recalled defenseman Andrew Peeke from the team's taxi squad, club General Manager and Alternate Governor Jarmo Kekalainen announced today.
Merzlikins, 26, has missed the past three games due to an upper body injury suffered in practice on February 3. He has posted a 2-2-1 record with a 2.76 goals-against average and .913 save percentage in six games this season. He made his NHL debut in 2019-20, finishing with a 13-9-8 record, 2.35 GAA, .923 SV% and five shutouts in 33 appearances. The Riga, Latvia native was named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team after finishing second-T in the League in shutouts and fifth in GAA and SV% (tied). The 6-3, 185-pound netminder was Columbus' third-round pick, 76th overall, at the 2014 NHL Draft.
Peeke, 22, made his NHL debut in 2019-20 and recorded a goal and two assists for three points with four penalty minutes and a +1 plus/minus rating in 22 games with the Blue Jackets. The Parkland, Florida native added 5-11-16 and six penalty minutes in 29 contests with the American Hockey League's Cleveland Monsters. The 6-3, 197-pound blueliner was drafted by the Blue Jackets in the second round, 34th overall, at the 2016 NHL Draft.
The Blue Jackets return to action tonight when they visit the Chicago Blackhawks. Game time from United Center is 8 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Ohio and the FOX Sports Go app with coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. with the "Blue Jackets Live" pre-game show. It will also be broadcast on the Eldorado Gaming Scioto Downs Blue Jackets Radio Network, including flagship station 97.1 The Fan in Columbus.
CBJ activate G Elvis Merzlikins off IR, recall D Andrew Peeke
