Blackhawks sign Nick Schmaltz to entry-level deal

North-Dakota-forward-Nick-Schmaltz-(8)-reacts-after-scoring-against-Denver-during-final-seconds-of-an-NCAA-Frozen-Four-men's-college-hockey-semifinal,-Thursday,-April-7,-2016,-in-Tampa,-Fla.-(AP-Photo/Chris-O'Meara)

North Dakota forward Nick Schmaltz (8) reacts after scoring against Denver during final seconds of an NCAA Frozen Four men's college hockey semifinal, Thursday, April 7, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed forward prospect Nick Schmaltz to an entry-level contract, the team announced Sunday.

Schmaltz was the 20th pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, and has since put together two solid seasons at the University of North Dakota.

He had 11 goals and 46 points in 37 games this year, as the Fighting Hawks won a national championship. Here’s his goal against the University of Denver which gave UND the lead with less than a minute remaining in their Frozen Four semifinal contest.

The 20-year-old has a real chance to make the Blackhawks out of training camp and provide some (cap-friendly) depth to Chicago’s lineup, which had to depart with Teuvo Teravainen and Bryan Bickell earlier this week.

The Blackhawks had already signed one of Schmaltz’s UND teammates, junior Luke Johnson. Johnson was a fifth-round pick in 2013.

June 19, 2016

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Nick Schmaltz
SIGNED BY
Chicago Blackhawks
LENGTH
3 yrs
CONTRACT TYPE
Entry-Level Deal
SALARY CAP HIT
N/A
TOTAL
N/A

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