Blackhawks prospect Jake Ryczek signed a one-year AHL contract with the Rockford IceHogs on Thursday.
Ryczek, a right-handed shot defenseman, had nine goals and 24 assists in 51 QMJHL games last season for the Halifax Mooseheads. The 5-foot-11, 198-pounder added 13 assists in 23 playoff games as Halifax reached the QMJHL Presidents’ Cup and Memorial Cup finals.
Ryczek, who was drafted by the Blackhawks in the seventh round in the 2016 NHL draft, played a mere five games for Providence College in 2017 before moving to Halifax. The Blackhawks hold his rights for another year.
The signing gives the IceHogs nine defensemen, including four righties with Adam Boqvist, Josh McArdle, Domitri Osipov and Ryczek. Boqvist, the eighth overall pick in the 2018 NHL draft, is the only righty signed to a NHL contract.
IceHogs defensemen
Nicolas Beaudin (left)
Adam Boqvist (right)
Lucas Carlsson (left)
Dennis Gilbert (left)
Chad Krys (left)
Josh McArdle (right)*
Dmitri Osipov (right)*
Jake Ryczek (right)*
Joni Tuulola (left)
*AHL deal