Blackhawks sign Aidan Thompson to entry-level contract

The Chicago Blackhawks announced Saturday that the club has signed center Aidan Thompson to a two-year, entry-level contract set to begin in 2025-26. As part of the agreement, Thompson will join the AHL affiliated Rockford IceHogs for the balance of the current campaign on a professional tryout basis.

Thompson was originally chosen by the Blackhawks in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft.

Through 44 appearances this season with the NCAA’s Denver Pioneers, Thompson finished second in team scoring with 55 points counting 21 goals and 34 assists to earn a spot on the NCHC’s Second All-Star Team. In all, through three seasons with the Pioneers, Thompson totaled 42 goals and 75 assists for 117 points in 120 career contests.

Prior to committing to Denver, the 23-year-old native of Fort Collins, Colo., spent part of three seasons with the USHL’s Lincoln Stars. In his third season, Thompson paced the squad with 82 points counting 24 goals and 58 assists coming in 57 games to earn a spot on the USHL’s Second All-Star Team. In all, through 117 career contests with the Stars, Thompson amassed 34 goals and 82 assists for 116 points.

Thompson is the fifth player to sign his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks in recent weeks, a list that also includes Windsor Spitfires forward Anthony Spellacy, defenseman Sam Rinzel and forward Oliver Moore of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, as well as Providence Friars blue-liner Taige Harding.

On the season, the Blackhawks sit second-to-last in the Western Conference with a 23-46-10 record and 56 points. The rebuilding club is poised to make another early selection at the upcoming NHL Draft, plus an additional first-round pick via a first rounder that was previously acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Blackhawks will close out the 2024-25 season with contests against the Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens, and Ottawa Senators.