Chicago Blackhawks rookie defenseman Blake Hillman scored his first career NHL goal Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center.
The 22-year-old Hillman’s goal came in the second period with a slap shot from the blueline to trim the deficit to 3-2.
Blake Hillman scores his 1st career NHL goal! What a shot. 3-2 #stlblues. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/z1217O1haG
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) April 5, 2018
Blake Hillman: 3rd @NHLBlackhawks player over the last 30 seasons whose 1st career NHL goal was a shorthanded one- joins Jake Dowell (Nov 22, 2007) & Mike Hudson (Oct 12, 1988)
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) April 5, 2018
Hillman’s short-handed tally also came on an important day.
Blake Hillman, who wears No. 55, scores his first NHL career goal on @portilloshotdog’s 55th birthday.
— SCOTT FOSTER CITY HOCKEY (@2ndCityHockey) April 5, 2018
The Hawks signed Hillman to a two-year entry-level contract March 27 after his junior season ended at the University of Denver. The 2014 sixth-round had three goals and nine assists this past season in 41 games for the Pioneers. Hillman, a left-handed shot, also helped Denver win the national championship last season at the United Center in Chicago.
Hillman joins Alex DeBrincat, David Kampf, Matthew Highmore and Jordan Oesterle as Chicago players who have scored their first NHL goal this season.
The Hawks have signed three prospects this spring. In addition to Hillman, Chicago also inked NCAA forward Dylan Sikura and Finnish defenseman Joni Tuulola.