Blue Jackets prospect watch, a late-round energy forward with surprising skill signs AHL deal

It's that time of year, Jackets fans. With many juniors and college teams seeing their seasons come to a close after missing out on the postseason, it's the perfect opportunity for highly-touted prospects to get a taste of pro hockey while continuing their development path.

After 2024 second-round pick Charlie Elick signed with Cleveland earlier this week, another Blue Jackets draft pick will also join the Monsters, but he isn't a name many NHL fans are likely familiar with.

Owen Griffin is a high-energy forward with underrated offensive talent

Drafted just last year all the way back in the fifth round, Owen Griffin has been progressing quite well in juniors, and will get an early look at proving what he can do for a professional hockey team.

The Monsters announced earlier today that the team signed Griffin to an Amateur Tryout Contract.

Standing at 5'11" and 170 pounds, Griffin didn't have eye-popping stats during the regular season in his draft year, with his 51 points in 62 games ranking sixth on the team, and 23 points less than fellow Blue Jackets draftee and current Cleveland Monster Luca Marrelli.

However, Griffin made a name for himself in the playoffs, scoring a league-leading 16 goals in just 21 games along with 13 assists and playing a large part in a championship appearance before losing to the London Knights.

Unfortunately, his supporting cast was completely decimated, with Griffin himself being the only top-ten point scorer on the team remaining for this season.

He still managed 25 goals and 42 assists in 66 games, ten more than the second-highest scorer on the team and 25 more than the third. He was pretty much the sole source of offensive production for the Oshawa Generals, who finished the regular season with a 19-45-4 record.

His consistent hustle combined with solid physicality and defense helps create offensive chances, which he showed earlier this season, utilizing his speed and shot to finish off the solo effort.

Griffin, who turns 19 in a couple weeks, will look to battle in a loaded Monsters forward group for playing time while they battle for a playoff spot. If he does see the ice, expect it to be in a bottom-six role where his grit, defense, and motor should help him stand out.

Regardless of his performance in the AHL, Griffin is looking like a steal more and more every game. He is definitely a player to keep an eye on the next few years, with the end of the Monsters' season providing an opportunity to get a sneak peek of a solid prospect.