CALGARY, Alta. – The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced Friday that Brooks Bandits (AJHL) defenceman Corson Ceulemans has earned the fourth annual Canadian Junior Hockey League’s John Grisdale Top Prospect Award for being the first CJHL player taken in the 2021 NHL Draft.
The 18-year-old Regina, Sask., product was chosen by the Columbus Blue Jackets, as he was selected in the first round, 25th overall.
Ceulemans had earlier been tabbed 14th overall, among North American skaters, in NHL Central Scouting’s final draft rankings released back on May 27.
He has seen action in 57 games with Brooks in his Alberta Junior Hockey League career, collecting 46 points in that span with nine goals while helping set-up 37 others.
The blueliner earlier helped Canada win gold at the 2021 World under-18 championship held in Texas, where he shared the team lead in assists with seven.
A University of Wisconsin NCAA Division-I scholarship commitment, he’ll also attend Canada’s National Junior Team development camp, which begins next week just outside of Calgary.
The John Grisdale Top Prospects Award is presented annually to the highest selected CJHL player chosen in each year’s NHL Draft and is named after the CJHL Life Member.
JOHN GRISDALE AWARD RECIPIENTS (Highest CJHL player selected in NHL Draft)
2021: Corson Ceulemans, (D) Brooks Bandits (AJHL) – 1st round, 25th overall (Columbus Blue Jackets)
2020: Michael Benning, (D) Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL) – 4th round, 95th overall (Florida Panthers)
2019: Alex Newhook, (F) Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) – 1st round, 16th overall (Colorado Avalanche)
2018: Jacob Bernard-Docker, (D) Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) – 1st round, 26th overall (Ottawa Senators)
Photo credit: Brooks Bandits/AJHL