The Columbus Blue Jackets, fresh off a win over the Edmonton Oilers earlier today and headed out on the road for two games, have added another defenseman to the roster. Billy Sweezey has earned just the second recall of his professional career.
Already 27, Sweezey is an interesting case, as he only turned pro in 2020 after a four-year stint at Yale University. The undrafted defenseman is in his third season of AHL action and less than a year removed from signing his first NHL contract. That two-year deal was inked with the Blue Jackets in March 2022, after he made such an impact with the Cleveland Monsters. Sweezey racked up 114 penalty minutes in 70 games last year for the AHL club, becoming one of the most physical defenders in the league.
He’s been in Cleveland again this year, recording nine points in 41 games while adding another 49 penalty minutes to his ledger. The 6’2″ defenseman already has 13 fights in his 133-game AHL career.
With the Blue Jackets still sitting Vladislav Gavrikov—now for six straight games—adding an extra defender for the journey to Minnesota makes sense. The Blue Jackets take on the Wild tomorrow afternoon, a quick turnaround after playing in Columbus today. Tim Berni played 13 minutes in the win against Edmonton, with Andrew Peeke logging nearly 26 minutes to lead the group. If Sweezey was to get into the lineup—perhaps to offset some of the physicality of the Wild—it would be his NHL debut.
Can’t imagine the Bruins are going to deal for Gavrikov now.