As he embarks on his third full professional season as an NHL defenseman, Jordan Harris believes the best is still ahead.

He also believes that this makes him an ideal fit for Columbus.

Harris was traded to the Blue Jackets on Monday. Upon arriving in the capital city, he observes a team and an organization that is eager for improvement, having missed the postseason for the past four seasons.

In other words, both the team and Harris himself have a lot to prove.

“In a Zoom call on Tuesday, he said, “I’m the kind of person who always believes there’s more. I always feel that I can contribute more, both as a player and as an individual. I firmly believe that I have more to offer as a player, and I’m fully aware of my game’s strengths and my capabilities.”

“I truly believe there’s so much more to offer, and that aligns perfectly with the team’s ethos. The team and the fans are eager for success. There’s a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement.”

Harris, a left-shot defenseman who has scored eight goals and accumulated 32 points in 131 career games with Montreal, has predominantly played for the Habs over the last two seasons. Prior to this, he had a four-year stint at Northeastern University. Born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, Harris played for Team USA’s World Juniors squad during the 2019-20 season. He was also a third-round selection for Montreal in the 2018 draft.

Simply put, he has impressive credentials and at 24, he anticipates further developing his skills. He believes Columbus to be an ideal location for this, owing to his past experiences playing against the Blue Jackets and positive feedback about the city and team from ex-CBJ player and Montreal teammate, David Savard. This opinion is also supported by both current and past Ohio State players with connections to Massachusetts, such as Mason Lohrei, Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, Jake Wise, and women’s national championship player, Cayla Barnes.

“He reminisced about his rookie year, saying, “I had the privilege of playing there and it was an incredible experience due to the electrifying atmosphere and the cannon. It’s simply thrilling. The excitement and rowdiness make it seem like an ideal place to play. David Savard and my friends from Ohio State have all given glowing reviews about the area, Columbus, and the organization. So, I am genuinely thrilled about everything.”

Harris is also acquainted with Sean Monahan, who recently committed to a five-year deal with Columbus following a year playing for Montreal and Winnipeg. He also knows Johnny Gaudreau, having met him several times while skating in Massachusetts, where Gaudreau made a name for himself at Boston College.

Harris expressed his eagerness to get started and stated that settling in with the Blue Jackets shouldn’t take much time.

“Harris stated, “The team appears to be eager and young, still striving to establish themselves, which aligns with my current career stage. I’ve been playing for a few years but I feel like I still have a lot to offer and I am certainly eager to prove and demonstrate that. With new management and a new coach in place, there are many exciting elements in the mix.”

Harris highlighted that transitioning from college to the NHL involves various factors. These include an increased number of games compared to NCAA hockey, and differences in players’ lifestyles outside the rink. Harris believes that his experiences and learnings will benefit him in the future. Last season, he recorded a 3-11-14 line and a minus-5 rating in 56 games with the Habs.

“Now that I’ve gained a deeper understanding and feel for the game, and having several games under my belt, my next goal is to display the skills I’ve honed during the summer,” he said. “As a defenseman, I might not be the largest, but I have plenty of tools I can utilize for tough defense and to support the offensive push. I aim to enhance my offensive contribution without compromising my defensive strengths.”

“There’s plenty of great content, and I truly believe I have more to offer. I’m thrilled to showcase it and have been diligently working on it.”

Harris stated that although he is a left-shot defenseman, he has the capability to play on the right side, having done so during his freshman year at Northeastern and last season with the Canadiens. He discovered the news of his trade yesterday while he was shopping for a table at HomeGoods for his Massachusetts apartment.

“He said with a laugh, “I certainly didn’t expect that when I walked into HomeGoods.”

CBJ fans should look forward to getting to know Harris, a biracial and Jewish player. He is a member of the NHL/NHLPA Player Inclusion Coalition, an organization recently formed to help expand the game. Upon his arrival in Columbus, Harris hopes to continue his role in the coalition and contribute to the development of the sport.

“He expressed his love for hockey, considering himself fortunate to play daily. However, he emphasized that life extends beyond just hockey, focusing on influencing others and contributing to one’s community. He eagerly anticipated lending a hand in any way possible in Columbus, a commitment he is passionate about and plans to sustain.”