The Chicago Blackhawks signed forward Graham Knott to a three-year entry-level contract Friday.
Knott, 19, recorded 12 goals and 42 points with the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League in 68 games last season. The 6’4, 194-pound winger added five points (two goals, three assists) in 17 postseason contests before Niagara was swept in the J. Ross Robertson Cup final by the London Knights.
Graham Knott said he was hoping for a contract coming into camp. He’ll head back to the OHL for this season.
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) September 30, 2016
Blackhawks assistant GM Norm Maciver liked what he and his staff saw from Knott this past season.
“I think the thing our development staff liked about Graham was his progression through the year,” Maciver told The Athletic’s Scott Powers earlier this year. “Sort of an average season, but I thought according to our guys he played very well in the playoffs, was a very good player for Niagara in the playoffs and a very important player for them. Really happy with the way he finished his season. Hopefully he continues that and carries that in the fall.”
In three seasons with Niagara, Knott accumulated 45 goals and 62 assists in 191 career games. Knott was selected by the Hawks with the 54th overall pick in the second-round in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Knott was ranked No. 23 in SCH’s 2016 Top 25 Under 25 series.