Ceulemans remains a work in progress, but his NHL upside is still intriguing. He has shown flashes of offensive ability, contributing on the power play and in transition. However, inconsistency and defensive-zone struggles have limited his role, preventing him from securing a top-four spot with the Monsters. His skating and puck-moving remain strengths, but his reads and decision-making under pressure need improvement. While Ceulemans has the tools to develop into an NHL defenseman, his path remains uncertain—he likely projects as a depth option unless he refines his defensive game.

I believe Corson Ceulemans will benefit from the added depth at defense that Columbus has recently acquired this offseason. Ceulemans is a defender that excels when he has confidence with and without the puck. After a year with a bad Wisconsin team, a full year in the AHL could do wonders for his confidence and overall play.

After going pointless in the first three games with the Wisconsin Badgers, Ceulemans has begun to find his form registering seven points (two goals, five assists) in 10 games, which currently leads the team. He led the Badgers in scoring as a defenseman last year, registering 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 34 games, but was a disappointing minus-12. This season however, he is a plus-3, which demonstrates some much needed improvement in his defensive play.

Ceulemans was selected in the first round, 25th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Corson Ceulemans is an offensive defenseman who loves to get up in the play and create offensively for the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL. His raw tools are enticing as he boasts a mobile 6’2″ frame and has filled it out quite well to this point. Ceulemans has a good, strong stride that powers him up ice and he has well above-average puck skills which allow for him to dekeand maneuver his way through the neutral zone. He is able to make good breakout passes when he needs to but excels when carrying the puck on his stick. In the offensive zone, he is at his best when he is able to work himself open and get pucks on net. He stays mobile along the blueline and does a good job of changing the angle most of the time, opening passing and shooting lanes. He is a good powerplay quarterback who can move the puck to his teammates and likes to take chances by attacking the slot himself. He has a good shot and he isn’t shy to use it. Many of the concerns about Corson Ceulemans game come from the fact that he plays in the AJHL and he struggles defensively. The AJHL isn’t the best league for the development of projectable skills in most years and this year is no different. There have been a lot of comparisons to former AJHL star Cale Makar who hailed from the same organization but those are unfair and a bit unrealistic. The game Makar plays is truly special and isn’t likely to be replicated, even from a defender from the same team who has produced at roughly the same rates up to their draft years. Ceulemans has a lot of raw talent and if he can develop a bit better defensive awareness and reign some of his offensive aggression in, he very well could be a solid NHL defender who can run a powerplay. The ceiling isn’t quite Makar, but he certainly brings some upside and intrigue to the 2021 NHL Draft.