Chicago Blackhawks sign Frank Nazar to entry-level contract

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson announced Saturday that the club has agreed to terms with 2022 first-round pick Frank Nazar on a three-year, entry-level contract. The contract will have an average annual value of $950,000 and begins immediately.

Nazar spent the 2023-24 campaign with the University of Michigan Wolverines in the NCAA collecting 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 points in 41 games. Nazar ranked sixth among Wolverines skaters in points and was one of 15 NCAA players under the age of 20 to average a point per game.

The Detroit, Michigan product spent two seasons with Michigan and during his freshman year suffered a hip injury derailing his NCAA debut. However, Nazar prevailed and bounced back, and in 12 games he notched seven points and helped the Wolverines capture the NCAA B1G Championship. In 54 NCAA regular season games, Nazar has scored 19 goals and 29 assists for 48 points.

Nazar represented Team USA at the 2024 World Juniors where he collected eight assists in seven games helping the Americans capture a gold medal. He also represented the United States at the U-18 Men’s World Championship scoring three goals and nine points in six games winning a silver medal.

Nazar will join the Blackhawks in the coming days and will burn the first year of his entry-level contract. Expect the 20-year-old to make his National Hockey League debut in the coming days as Chicago wraps up their season with games against the Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings.

Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis spoke on Nazar in his Top 10 NHL prospects to watch at the NCAA men’s hockey tournament. “Nazar needed a big season after missing most of 2022-23 due to injuries,” Ellis said. “Mission accomplished. The Blackhawks prospect had more than a point per game while also contributing extensively in his own zone. That’s the thing – Nazar can score, and he’s a great setup guy. But he can also block shots and work his tail off in front of his own net. Nazar is a team player you can throw in any situation and be happy about, and he was a big part of Michigan’s attack this year.”