The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed veteran goaltender Pheonix Copley to a one-year contract worth $850,000, club general manager Don Waddell announced today. The Blue Jackets now have three goalies – Copley, Jet Greaves, and Elvis Merzlikins – on NHL-only deals.

“Pheonix is a proven NHL goaltender who brings a strong work ethic, valuable experience and dependable depth to our organization,” said Waddell. “He is a great fit for our club, and we’re pleased to welcome him to the Blue Jackets.”

Copley, 34, has posted a 44-17-8 record with a 2.85 goals-against average (GAA), .898 save percentage (SV%), and three shutouts in 78 career games with the Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, and St. Louis Blues over eight NHL campaigns. 

A native of North Pole, Alaska, Copley made his NHL debut with the Blues during the 2015-16 campaign. He registered single-season career highs in wins, goals-against average, and games played with Los Angeles in 2022-23 with a 24-6-3 record, 2.64 GAA, and .903 SV% in 37 contests.

The 6-4, 205-pound netminder has added a 169-104-40 record with a 2.52 GAA, .909 SV%, and 18 shutouts in 312 career outings over 10 seasons with the AHL’s Ontario Reign, Hershey Bears, Chicago Wolves, and Hershey Bears. He won the Harry Holmes Memorial Award as part of the AHL’s Best Goaltending Duo in 2020-21.

Originally undrafted, Copley played two seasons of college hockey at Michigan Tech and finished with an 18-28-7 record, 2.82 GAA, .906 SV%, and four shoutouts in 54 appearances. He played one campaign in the USHL, recording a 16-24-1 record and .907 SV% in 45 games split between the Tri-City Storm and Des Moines Buccaneers.