Chicago Blackhawks sign Paul Ludwinski to entry-level contract

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed forward Paul Ludwinski to a three-year, entry-level contract, the club announced Saturday morning.

Ludwinski, 18, has nine goals and 34 points in 47 games with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kingston Frontenacs this season. He’s a five-foot-eleven center who shoots left.

The Blackhawks selected the Toronto product in the second round (No. 39 overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. Ludwinski is the second member of the Blackhawks’ 2022 draft class to sign with the team, joining Kevin Korchinski (No. 7 overall).

Ludwinski’s contract will most likely take effect in the 2024–25 season, as he’s all but certain to return to the Frontenacs as a 19-year-old next year. His ELC carries a $931,667 NHL cap hit.

Ludwinski scored 16 goals and 43 points in 67 games with the Frontenacs during his draft year. He added seven goals and 12 points in 11 games during the 2022 OHL playoffs.

Prior to joining the Frontenacs, Ludwinski played in the Toronto Marlboros hockey association in the GTHL and served as the captain of the organization’s U16 AAA team during the 2019–20 season.

The Blackhawks currently occupy the eighth and final spot in the Central Division standings with a 24–41–6 record through 71 games this season. They’ll return to action on Saturday to take on the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.