"Cody is a two-way defenseman who plays with size and a speed game that fits our system well," said Rutherford. "He brings both regular season and playoff experience, and can be utilized on the penalty kill."
Ceci, 26, spent the 2019-20 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, skating in 56 games and totaling eight points (1G-7A) and a plus-7. The defenseman ranked second on the Maple Leafs with 92 hits, third with 79 blocked shots and led Toronto by averaging 2:50 minutes of shorthanded time-on-ice per game.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Ceci has played 496 career NHL games, split between Toronto and the Ottawa Senators. The right-handed shooting defenseman has recorded 33 goals, 93 assists and 126 points in his seven-year career. Ceci hit the 10-goal mark once in 2015-16, while he set career highs two seasons ago in 2018-19 with 19 assists and 26 points (tied). Ceci has also appeared in 30 career playoff games, tallying four points (1G-3A).
The Ottawa, ON native was originally drafted by Ottawa in the first round (15th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft held in Pittsburgh.
Prior to turning professional, Ceci played for his hometown Ottawa 67's and the Owen Sound Attack during his four-year junior career in the Ontario Hockey League. In 265 career junior games, Ceci recorded 49 goals, 121 assists and 170 points with a plus-27. He was named to the OHL Second All-Star Team twice in 2011-12 and '12-13, and captained the 67's in '12-13.
Internationally, Ceci represented Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Championship, helping his team win gold by leading all Canadian defensemen with six points (1G-5A) in 10 games (tied with teammate Mike Matheson).
