Chicago Blackhawks forward prospect Radovan Bondra signed an amateur tryout contract with the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday.
Bondra, a Blackhawks 2015 fifth-round draft pick, finished his season last week when Prince George fell to Portland in Game 6 of the first round best-of-seven Western Hockey League playoff series. The 20-year-old had two goals and five points in six playoff games.
Bondra, a 6-foot-5 and 216 pounder, started the season with the Vancouver Giants before being traded to Prince George. He scored 31 points with Vancouver before finishing the regular season with 32 goals and 63 points in 62 regular-season games between the two teams.
“He’s had a terrific season,” Hawks assistant general manager Norm Maciver told The Athletic. “I know the reports we’ve had from Derek Plante of our development team have been real positive. I know his coach now in Prince George is a former teammate of Derek’s. They speak very highly of Bondra, and they’re really happy with the way things have gone for him. I haven’t seen him play this year, but all indications are that he’s really made some really good strides.”
The Hawks previously signed CHL prospects Alex DeBrincat, Alexandre Fortin, Matthew Highmore and Graham Knott to entry-level contracts that will begin next season. Roy Radke, who signed an ATO with Rockford before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, could also sign with Chicago during the offseason.