Blackhawks Sign 2nd of Three First-Rounders To Contract

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed another one of their three first-round picks from the 2024 NHL Draft, coming to terms on a three-year entry-level deal with Marek Vanacker.

starting our week with a signing👀

Details ⮕ https://t.co/ykHb0SvBJk pic.twitter.com/ZiyXbfOl8O
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 5, 2024

Vanacker was selected 27th overall, a pick Chicago traded for at the draft from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for the 34th and 50th overall picks. His contract comes with a $975,000 cap hit.

The left-winger exploded this past season with the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL, going from 16 points the previous year to a breakout season of 36 goals and 46 assists for 86 points in 68 games. He added three goals and four assists in six playoff contests with the Bulldogs.

The 6-foot-1, 178-pounder completed that sensational year even while battling a labrum injury most of the season.

Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson was excited to pull off that pick swap to be able to land Vanacker.

"He plays so hard," Davidson said. "Get gets his nose into every battle and scores greasy goals."

This video shows exactly who Marek Vanacker is, his puck retrieval skills are NHL ready. Could be a perfect winger for Bedard. Very Brandon Saad type. He shows he has good Offensive upside along with being a hard nose puck battler. #Blackhawks
pic.twitter.com/V9eXsMxdiS
— Riz (@RizNHL) August 4, 2024

With the earlier signing of Artyom Levshunov (the No. 2 overall selection), that leaves forward Sacha Boisvert, selected 18th overall, as Chicago's one unsigned first-rounder.

Vanacker, 18, will most certainly head back to junior hockey with Brantford this coming season to further hone his skills.