The Chicago Blackhawks signed 2018 first-round draft pick Adam Boqvist to a three-year entry-level contract, the team announced Sunday.
what a feeling to sign my first nhl contract with @NHLBlackhawks ! want to thank my family, my teammates and coaches! Without you, it would not have been possible! see you soon Chicago ⚪️🔴😁 #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/pYxzeFWMlD
— Adam Boqvist (@BoqvistAdam) July 1, 2018
Chicago selected Boqvist with the No. 8 overall pick in last month’s draft. The Swedish defenseman, who turns 18 on Aug. 15, scored 14 goals and 10 assists last season in Sweden’s under-20 Super Elite league. He is the first player in Chicago’s 2018 draft class to a sign a NHL deal.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound and right-handed shot’s junior rights are held by the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights.
“We’ve talked to Chicago about Adam and the potential of him being signed (to an NHL deal) and what the next steps would be if he were to sign an entry-level contract,” London GM Rob Simpson told the London Free Press. “We’re going to continue to discuss that with them over the next coming days and see what direction they want Adam to go next year.”
Boqvist said last month at the draft he has one year remaining on his contract with Brynas and expects to play the 2018-19 season with them in the Swedish Hockey League.