"Scott Harrington is a very smart, reliable defenseman who made great strides to become a regular contributor on our blueline last season," said Kekalainen. "He works very hard and has continued to improve steadily over the past three seasons. Scott has shown himself to be an excellent leader who has earned the respect of his coaches and teammates and we look forward to his continued contributions to our club."
Harrington, who has registered 5-21-26 and 49 penalty minutes in 152 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins, was originally selected by Pittsburgh in the second round, 54th overall, at the 2011 NHL Draft. He spent two seasons in the Penguins organization and made his NHL debut with the club during a 10-game stint during the 2014-15 campaign. He split the 2015-16 season between the Maple Leafs and American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies and was acquired by the Blue Jackets from Toronto with a conditional fifth round draft pick in exchange for Kerby Rychel on June 25, 2016.
The 6-2, 205-pound native of Kingston, Ontario represented Canada at two IIHF World Junior Championships. He won a bronze medal in 2012 and was named one of Canada's top three players at the 2013 tournament. During four seasons with the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights from 2009-13, he served as team captain and helped the club capture OHL championships while earning OHL First Team All-Star honors in each of his last two seasons. He tallied 13-68-81, 129 penalty minutes and was +58 in 216 career OHL contests.
