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Penguins Miss Golden Opportunity as Division Rivals Sign Top NCAA Free Agent
Photo credit: Jason Wachter / St. Cloud LIVE
It's not every day you get a shot at signing a top NCAA player, and sadly for the Penguins, they lost their chance as the Blue Jackets signed Caleb MacDonald.
The Columbus Blue Jackets signed blue-liner Caleb MacDonald of the University of North Dakota to a two-year, entry-level contract starting in 2025-26, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced today.
"Caleb MacDonald is a big, strong defenseman who excels at blocking shots and being sound and sturdy in the defensive zone," said Waddell. "We are pleased to welcome him to the Blue Jackets and look forward to his taking the next steps in his career with our organization."
MacDonald, 22, collected 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 35 games as a sophomore at North Dakota during the 2024-25 season. He added 42 penalty minutes, 68 blocked shots, 51 shots on goal, and a +7 plus/minus rating.
Not only does MacDonald score, but he blocks a ton of shots
He led the team in penalty minutes and blocked shots and was tied for third in plus/minus.
The 6-foot-3, 224-pound Cambridge, Ontario, native posted 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) and 80 penalty minutes with a +20 rating in 66 games of collegiate hockey for North Dakota and the University of Alaska-Fairbanks between 2023 and 2025.
He played his first season at Alaska-Fairbanks in 2023-24, leading team freshmen in scoring with 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) and 28 blocked shots in 31 games.
Before joining college, MacDonald played three seasons for the Whitecourt Wolverines of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, amassing 95 points (16 goals, 79 assists) and 237 penalty minutes in 126 games from 2020-23.
In 2022-23, he was named the AJHL's best defenseman and a North All-Star after finishing second amongst league defensemen in points and assists with 59 points (nine goals, 50 assists) and 124 penalty minutes in 59 games.
The Penguins and Kyle Dubas definitely let a good one get away.
| POLL | ||
MARS 26 | 117 ANSWERS Penguins Miss Golden Opportunity as Division Rivals Sign Top NCAA Free Agent Did the Penguins mess up by not signing Caleb MacDonald? | ||
| Yes | 76 | 65 % |
| No | 41 | 35 % |
| List of polls | ||