Chicago Blackhawks signed the draft for the first round, Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel choose for three years, entry agreements during the 2026-27 season, with both expected to make their NHL debuts before the end of the season.
The contracts have a hit of $ 950,000.
The players, both 20-year-old natives in Minnesota, come to the Blackhawks from the University of Minnesota, who ended their season Thursday with a 5-4 overtime loss to Massachusetts.
Moore, one forward, was taken by the Blackhawks with No. 19 overall elections in the NHL draft 2023. In 76 career games with Golden Gophers, Moore 66 points (21 goals, 45 assists) counted. He was a Big Ten All-Rookie team selection in 2024 after his beginner season, and he won back-to-back gold medals for the United States at IIHF World Junior Championships 2024 and ’25.
Rinzel, a defender, was named Big Ten Defensive Player and received the first team’s All-Big TEN award for the season 2024-25. His 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) this season put him sixth among blueliners in NCAA.
In his college career total 60 points (12 goals, 48 assists) in 79 matches, and he was also a member of 2024 IIHF World Juniors team. The Blackhawks chose him with No. 25 overall choice of 2022 draft.
The Blackhawks (21-43-9, 51 points) have the second worst record in the league that enters Saturday. Since won the Stanley Cup 2015, Chicago has made the playoffs only three times and lost in the first round each season. They will end during .500 for five seasons in a row.
Athletic reported that both players are expected to debut this season, which has 10 games left. According to Athletic, Moore is expected to play Sunday against Utah Hockey Club.
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