The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Boston Buckberger to a two-year entry level contract beginning with the 2026-27 season, club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced on Apr. 14.
Buckberger, age 22, played three seasons at the University of Denver where he tallied 24 goals and 62 assists for a total of 86 points in 128 games. He accumulated a +94 plus/minus rating and helped lead the Pioneers to NCAA championships in both 2024 and 2026. This season, he was selected to the Frozen Four All-Tournament team.
“Boston Buckberger is a smart, skilled defenseman who can play in all situations and has a championship pedigree,” Waddell said. “He was among the top scoring defensemen in college hockey this year and a big part of Denver’s championship team. We are very excited that he is now part of the Blue Jackets organization.”
During his junior campaign in the 2025-26 season, Buckberger recorded ten goals and nineteen assists with eighteen penalty minutes over forty-three games. He ranked second among all NCAA players in plus/minus rating and finished tied for sixth among blueliners in goals scored as well as tied for ninth in points. Notably, he assisted on the game-winning goal that secured Denver’s victory over Wisconsin at the Frozen Four championship on April 11.
Buckberger also participated in Columbus’ development camp during July of last year. In his sophomore season at Denver (2024-25), he set career highs with thirty points while finishing fifth overall among NCAA players for plus/minus rating and eighth among blueliners for scoring. Prior to college hockey, Buckberger was named to the United States Hockey League’s Third All-Star Team after playing with Lincoln Stars during the 2022-23 season.
The Blue Jackets are scheduled to play next against the Washington Capitals at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday evening.
