Former Blackhawks Prospect-Turned-Free Agent Chooses His Hockey Home For 2023-24

As one of the top former NHL prospects who became free agents this week, ex-Chicago Blackhawks third-rounder Jake Wise has agreed to a one-year contract to begin his professional hockey career with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL.

Chicago Blackhawks' unrestricted free agent (UFA) C Jake Wise has signed a one-year contract with Charlotte (AHL).#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/KTMIsCqGW0

— Around The Horn Hockey (@ATHornHockey) August 17, 2023

Wise was selected with the 69th pick overall by Chicago in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, but the team's signing rights to the 23-year-old center lapsed earlier this week when they chose not to offer him an entry-level contract before the "sign-by date" of Tuesday.

Wise just completed his five-year NCAA career with Ohio State University (two years there after three years at Boston University). As the team's captain, he recorded 39 points in 40 games (12 goals, 27 assists) for the Buckeyes this past season as their second-leading scorer. 

He'll now begin his professional journey in the AHL hoping to land an entry-level deal with an NHL team that way. In Charlotte, he'll be lining up with Florida Panthers prospects. He actually played one game with the Checkers on a professional tryout contract at the end of last season, registering two assists. He then added a goal in one playoff game.

Another one of the newest notable free agents from the list of unsigned graduating NCAA prospects found a home just yesterday, as a former Arizona Coyotes prospect signed on with the Boston Bruins.

Photo: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK