Blackhawks to sign Oliver Moore, Sam Rinzel to entry-level contracts
Two exceptional college players are moving on up.
The Chicago Blackhawks are set to sign forward Oliver Moore and defenseman Sam Rinzel to entry-level contracts.
#Blackhawks are signing both Sam Rinzel and Oliver Moore to entry-level deals out of Minnesota.
Both players are expected to make their #NHL debuts this season.
Moore and Rinzel are going to make their NHL debuts on Sunday when the Blackhawks host the Utah Hockey Club.
The two were teammates at the University of Minnesota, with the Golden Gophers season coming to an end this past Thursday after an overtime loss to the Massachusetts Minutemen in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in Fargo.
Moore was taken by the Blackhawks in the first round, 19th overall, of the 2023 NHL Draft. In just two years of college hockey, the former U.S. National Team Development Program product has showcased his playmaking ability on one of the top teams in the country. His speed and agility have made him a dynamic player for the Gophers.
The 20-year-old scored 33 points each season in Minneapolis, finishing fourth in team scoring this season behind Snuggerud, Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Connor Kurth and Nashville Predators draft pick Matthew Wood.
Moore has also had success on the international stage, winning gold with Team USA in back-to-back years at the IIHF World Junior Championship.
Another exiting sophomore, Rinzel was selected in the first round, 25th overall, of the 2022 draft. He, along with Snuggerud and Moore, was on the 2024 U.S. World Juniors roster that took home gold in Sweden.
The Chanhassen, Minnesota native has proven his skill set at both ends of the rink is exceptional. Standing at 6-foot-4, Rinzel uses his size effectively, making him tough to beat in his own zone. Also, his puck movement made him a catalyst on the offensive end, leading him to register 32 points in 40 games, placing him fifth in scoring among the Gophers in scoring.
It was suspected that there would be a mass exodus of players from Minnesota, with numerous players seemingly ready to make the jump to the pro ranks. The damn started to break on Friday when the St. Louis Blues signed Hobey Baker finalist Jimmy Snuggerud to a three-year, entry-level contract.
It isn’t exactly known when Rinzel and Moore will join the Blackhawks’ (21-43-9) lineup. Chicago has nine games left in the regular season.