The Chicago Blackhawks have signed defenseman Gustav Forsling to a three-year entry-level contract, reports Johan Svensson of Kvällsposten.
According to the report, Forsling’s contract will include a loan clause to allow him to return to Europe for the 2016-17 season if he does not make the Blackhawks’ roster out of the team’s training camp. He’ll have plenty of competition from Finnish blue liner Ville Pokka, who is likely to join the roster next season.
The 19-year-old Swedish defenseman scored nine goals with 18 assists in 86 games the past two seasons with Linköpings HC of the Swedish Hockey League.
Forsling also played a dynamic role on Sweden’s 2015 World Junior Championship team, recording three goals and five assists in seven games. His eight points led all blue liners in the tournament.
Chicago acquired Forsling in January 2015 from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Adam Clendening. Forsling was selected 126th overall with in the fifth-round of the 2014 NHL Draft by Vancouver.