Peeke, 23, has recorded a goal and five assists for six points with eight penalty minutes and 28 shots, while averaging 14:57 of ice time in 33 career NHL games since being selected by the Blue Jackets in the second round, 34th overall, at the 2016 NHL Draft. He collected 0-3-3 and four penalty minutes with five shots on goal, while averaging 17:09 of ice time in 11 outings with the club in 2020-21. The defenseman collected 1-2-3 in 22 games in his first NHL campaign in 2019-20, making is NHL debut on Dec. 5, 2019 vs. the New York Rangers and notching his first career goal on Feb. 16, 2020 at New Jersey (Mackenzie Blackwood).
"Andrew is a smart, mobile defenseman, who has the ability to join the rush and make plays in all three zones," said Kekalainen. "He is still a young player, but we are excited to see his continued growth within our organization as he continues to work and earn more playing time."
A native of Boca Raton, Florida, Peeke has added 5-15-20 with eight penalty minutes and a cumulative +3 plus/minus rating in 36 appearances with the American Hockey League's Cleveland Monsters since making his pro debut in 2019-20. He had 0-4-4 in seven outings with the Monsters in 2020-21. He ranked second among Cleveland defensemen in points-per-game in 2019-20 with 5-11-16 in 29 contests (.55).
The 6-3, 197-pound blueliner totaled 12-40-52 with 62 penalty minutes and a cumulative +20 plus/minus rating in 119 career games at the University of Notre Dame from 2016-19. He set collegiate career highs in assists, points and penalty minutes, while serving as his team's captain in his junior campaign in 2018-19, finishing with 3-21-24 and 24 penalty minutes in 40 contests. He helped the United States capture bronze at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championships with 1-1-2 in seven games.
FULL ANDREW PEEKE STATS
