The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed center Derick Brassard, the club's top pick in the 2006 Entry Draft, to a three-year contract, team President and General Manager Doug MacLean announced today. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed. Brassard, who will turn 19 on Friday, was the sixth overall pick at the 2006 Entry Draft, held at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia on June 24. Brassard, who is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury suffered in a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League preseason game earlier this month, will re-join the QMJHL's Drummondville Voltigeurs. The Hull, Quebec native tallied 44-72-116 and 92 penalty minutes in 58 games with Drummondville during the 2005-06 season. He was named a First Team QMJHL All-Star and received the Michael Bossy Trophy as the league's best professional prospect. In 137 career QMJHL games, he has registered 69-124-193 and 117 penalty minutes. "Derick is an extremely gifted offensive player who will be an important part of the Blue Jackets' future for years to come," said MacLean. "The injury he suffered earlier this month is an obvious disappointment, but we look forward to Derick's return to the ice and his continued development in Drummondville this season."