MONTREAL, Canada (WCMH) — The Columbus Blue Jackets selected defenseman Denton Mateychuk 12th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft on Thursday.

Mateychuk is the second defenseman CBJ picked in the first round after taking David Jiricek 6th overall, filling a position need on a defense that gave up a franchise record 297 goals last season.

Mateychuk, who turns 18 Tuesday, recorded 13 goals and 51 assists for 64 points with 15 penalty minutes, four power play goals and a +20 plus/minus rating in 65 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League in 2021-22.  

MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JULY 07: Denton Mateychuk is drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets during Round One of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bell Centre on July 07, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

He was named to the WHL (East) First All-Star Team after finishing fifth-T among league defensemen in points and sixth in assists.  He also ranked second on the Warriors in assists and third in points.

The 5-10, 194-pound defenseman has totaled 16-59-75, 23 PIM and a cumulative +8 plus/minus rating in 88 career outings with Moose Jaw since making his WHL debut in 2019-20.  He collected 2-7-9 in 16 appearances with the club in 2020-21.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba native helped Canada capture gold at the 2021 IIHF U18 World Championships.