Courtesy of Carlin Stiehl / MLive.com

Fantasy Summary

Undersized but physical right-handed defenseman with decent puck skills and refined defensive habits. Could become a top-four blue-liner in the near future, but likely tops out as a 5-6D with some power-play upside.


Observations

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May 2022 – Blankenburg represented USA in the Men’s Worlds in Finland, where he played 4 games. He didn’t have the biggest role, but showed some positives, like his great foot work and good on-puck skills. Unfortunately, his tournament was over after he got injured in the 4th game. Eetu Siltanen

May 2022 – After posting 14 goals and 15 assists in 38 games in his senior year at Michigan University, Blankenburg earned an entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets and took his first steps in the NHL shortly after. The former Wolverines captain played seven games near the end of the regular season, earning a goal and two assists in that span.

For a 5-foot-9 defender, Blankenburg shows exceptional physicality and body positioning both in open ice and along the boards, to go along with a polished defensive game and a toolkit of puck skills that make him one of the most well-rounded college signings of the year. His compete level is off the charts, and he shows good composure with the puck. The Jackets might just have acquired a roster player for free, as the prospect has outplayed most of their bottom-pair options and set himself up for a spot in training camp this fall. Hadi Kalakeche

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 6.5
NHL Certainty 9.0
Country USA
Position D
Roster Type NHL
Shoot/Glove Right
Date of Birth May 12, 1998
Height 5‘9”
Weight 174 lbs
Drafted No

Stats

 Season Team League GP G A TP PIM      Playoffs GP G A TP PIM 
 2010-2011 Detroit Jr. Red Wings QC Int PW5 0 11 0|        
 2011-2012 Little Caesars 13U AAAHPHL 13U20 5 712 20|Playoffs2 1 23
 2012-2013 Little Caesars 14U AAAHPHL 14U23 7 310 4|        
 2013-2014 Romeo High USHS-MI28 16 1127 30|        
 2014-2015 Romeo High USHS-MI30 35 3267 30|        
  Florida BulldogsUSPHL Elite3 0 11 6|        
 2015-2016 Romeo High USHS-MI30 35 3267 30|        
  MDHL BlueMDHL8 7 310 2|        
 2016-2017 Victory Honda 18U AAAT1EHL 18U32 10 1828 40|Playoffs5 1 01
 2017-2018 Okotoks OilersAJHL57 16 2642 65|Playoffs15 6 612 10 
 2018-2019 Univ. of MichiganNCAA34 2 810 12|        
 2019-2020 Univ. of MichiganNCAA35 4 1216 14|        
 2020-2021 Univ. of MichiganNCAA26 5 813 14|        
 2021-2022 Univ. of MichiganNCAA38 14 1529 22|        
  Columbus Blue JacketsNHL7 1 23 4|        
  USAWC4 0 00 0|        
 2022-2023 Columbus Blue JacketsNHL36 4 1014 16|        
 2023-2024 Columbus Blue JacketsNHL12 1 01 4|        
  Cleveland MonstersAHL24 3 1013 22|Playoffs1 0 00
 2024-2025 Milwaukee AdmiralsAHL9 3 36 2|        

Highlights