

COLUMBUS, OH – The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Dalton Prout to a two-year contract extension through the 2017-18 National Hockey League season, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Prout, 26, has tied his career high in goals and set career highs in points (tied) and penalty minutes with two goals and six assists for eight points with 87 penalty minutes in 56 games with the Blue Jackets this season. He ranks second on the club in penalty minutes and second among defenseman in hits (124), while playing in his third full season with the club.

“Dalton is a hard-working defenseman who adds size, strength and physicality to our blueline,” said Kekalainen. “He is very well respected by his teammates and everyone in our organization and we are very pleased that he will continue to be part of our group moving forward.”

The Kingsville, Ontario native has recorded 5-24-29 and 234 penalty minutes in 201 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets. He tallied a career high in assists and points with 0-8-8 and 85 penalty minutes while logging 18:24 of ice time in 63 games in 2014-15. He ranked third on the club in hits (166) and penalty minutes, fourth in blocked shots (84) and second in fighting majors (seven).

Columbus’ seventh selection, 154th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft, Prout has added 5-20-25 with 138 penalty minutes and a +1 plus/minus rating in 117 career AHL games with the Springfield Falcons since turning pro in 2011-12. He played five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, registering 17-49-66 with 436 penalty minutes and a +16 plus/minus rating in 286 games with the Sarnia Sting, Barrie Colts and Saginaw Spirit.