The Chicago Blackhawks signed forward Alexandre Fortin to a three-year entry-level contract, the team announced Sunday. The deal carries an annual cap hit of $685,000, per General Fanager.
Fortin, 19, an undrafted center scored five goals and an assist in three scrimmages at the team’s prospect camp in July. That performance earned him an invite to the rookie tournament in Traverse City, Mich., and a tryout for the team’s training camp, which he used to score two goals in Friday’s scrimmage and an assist Saturday to land a contract.
The 6-foot, 174-pound forward had 19 goals and 24 assists in 54 games for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL this past season, but was plagued by a hip injury.
He’s also received some advice from his uncle, former NHL goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who won the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.
“For sure, I had a couple of meetings with him just before I came here. He had a great career. He helped me on that. I can call him every time, ask him questions,” Fortin told CSN Chicago. “It’s good to see the veteran guys. You have to use them as an example. It’s what I want to do. I have to learn how to be a pro.”