Blue Jackets Sign Free Agent NCAA Forward from Michigan

Another Michigan Wolverines senior has found himself an NHL deal, as 24-year-old Minnesota native Josh Eernisse has signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets for next season.

#CBJ NEWS (in-game edition): The Blue Jackets have signed former @umichhockey forward Josh Eernisse to a one-year, entry level contract for the 2026-27 season.

The 6-3 forward previously signed a PTO earlier today for this season with @monstershockey https://t.co/efIlhK9jz6
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) April 12, 2026

The 6-foot-3 forward will bring his tenacious, "heavy" play and elite penalty-killing to the Blue Jackets beginning in the 2026-27 season. He's also signed a professional tryout (PTO) with the Cleveland Monsters, the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate, for the rest of this season.

Eernisse was a key cog in Michigan’s Big Ten Tournament title and its Frozen Four push that ended in a crushing double-overtime loss in the semifinal to eventual champion Denver. He finished his three years at Michigan with a +12 plus/minus rating in 115 games.

Josh Eernisse goal in Frozen Four.@BlueJacketsNHL pic.twitter.com/Xrc8saico8
— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) April 13, 2026

Eernisse brings some smarts to the game as well. He was this year’s winner of the NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete Award, given annually to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the NCAA championship finals.

He also won the Big Ten's sportsmanship award.

“If he plays his last game Saturday, or he plays in 20 years in the NHL, Josh Eernisse is going to be a high-performing person in society,” Michigan coach Brandon Naurato said. “A business owner, a father, a husband.”

He'll be married to the Blue Jackets starting in the fall.