Blue Jackets sign goaltender Elvis Merzlikins to entry-level contract

Lugano's goalkeeper Elvis Merzlikins, left, blocks Froelunda's player Pathrik Westerholm, during a Champions League match. Merzlikins signed an entry-level deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday. (Pablo Gianinazzi/Keystone via AP)

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed goaltender Elvis Merzlikins to a one-year entry-level contract worth $925,000, the club announced Wednesday. Merzlikins was a Blue Jackets’ third-round pick in 2014.

In 43 games with Lugano of the Swiss National League this season, the 24-year-old Latvian put up a 22-18-0 record with a 2.44 goals-against average and .921 save percentage. He finished the campaign tied for second in the league for wins, tied for third in shutouts with five, and finished fourth in save percentage and eighth in goals-against average.

Last season, Merzlikins was awarded the Jacques Plante Trophy as the league’s goaltender of the year and in January was named Latvian hockey player of the year.

Merzlikins has represented Latvia on numerous occasions, most recently at the 2017-18 IIHF World Championship.

He will join the Blue Jackets in Columbus before travelling with the team to Edmonton to face the Oilers on Thursday.

March 20, 2019

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Elvis Merzlikins
SIGNED BY
Columbus Blue Jackets
LENGTH
1 yr
CONTRACT TYPE
Entry-Level Deal
SALARY CAP HIT
$925000
TOTAL
$925000

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