Boqvist, who turns 22 on August 15, registered 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points with 12 penalty minutes, three power play goals and 64 shots on goal, while averaging 17:03 of ice time in 52 games with the Blue Jackets in 2021-22. He set career highs in goals, points and TOI and became the sixth different blueliner in franchise history to record double-digit goals in a season despite missing 27 contests due to injury. He made his Columbus debut in the season opener vs. Arizona on October 14 and tallied his first goal vs. Detroit on November 15.
"Adam is a talented, mobile defenseman with the ability and creativity to provide offense from the blueline," said Kekalainen. "Despite some injuries, he had a very good first season with our club at the age of 21 and as he gets bigger and stronger, we believe he has the potential to be a very impactful player in this league."
The Falun, Sweden native was acquired by the Blue Jackets from the Chicago Blackhawks in a trade on July 23, 2021. Selected by Chicago in the first round, eighth overall, at the 2018 NHL Draft, Boqvist has registered 17-34-51 and 32 PIM in 128 career games with the Blue Jackets and Blackhawks since making his NHL debut during the 2019-20 season.
The 6-0, 189-pound defenseman totaled 20-40-60, 12 PIM and nine PPG in 54 games with the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights in 2018-19. He was named to the OHL's Second All-Star Team after finishing second among league defensemen in goals, third-T in PPG, sixth in points and 11th in assists. He also played in the Swedish Hockey League, collecting 0-1-1 in 15 games with Brynas IF in 2017-18 and racked up 18-22-40 in 43 contests with Brynas' junior team during that campaign.
Boqvist has represented Sweden at various international tournaments. He registered 1-3-4 in five games at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championships. He also was named Best Defenseman at the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championships and helped Sweden capture the bronze medal after leading all tournament blueliners in goals and points with 3-3-6 in six outings.
FULL ADAM BOQVIST STATISTICS
