Michigan junior forward Tyler Motte has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, the team announced Wednesday
Jason Rubinstein of The Michigan Daily first reported the news.
The contract will begin in 2016-17.
Motte was a fourth round pick by Chicago in the 2013 NHL Draft. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet says he thinks Motte will join the IceHogs for the remainder of this season on an amateur tryout contract, then have his entry-level contract with Chicago begin in 2016-17.
The 21-year-old Motte, who is 5’9 and 193 pounds, finished his junior season with 32 goals and 24 assists in 38 games. He was third in the nation in points, only to his two linemates (Kyle Connor and JT Compher), and second in goals to Connor when his season ended March 26 in the regional final of the NCAA Tournament. The left winger was a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the nation’s top college hockey player.
Motte was selected by the Blackhawks in the fourth round — 121st overall — in 2013. He will be the third player the Hawks have signed from their 2013 draft class, joining first-rounder Ryan Hartman and fellow fourth-rounder Robin Norell, who signed a three-year deal last Thursday.
The St. Clair, Mich., native played for the Honeybaked junior program and in the USHL for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. He has also represented Team USA in national competitions.
Motte will join Adam Clendening, Vincent Hinostroza, Nick Leddy and Dylan Olsen as Hawks prospects to sign before their senior collegiate season in the past six years.