After we saw Jordan Gross sign with the Arizona Coyotes yesterday, another Notre Dame defenseman has decided to turn pro. Dennis Gilbert has signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, that will take him through the 2020-21 season. Gilbert is headed to the Rockford IceHogs for the remainder of the year on an amateur tryout.
While Gross may have more offensive upside, there is little to dislike in Gilbert’s defensive game. The 6’2″ 200-lbs defenseman is an outstanding athlete, and has taken huge strides to improve his skating over the past few seasons. A feared body checker and shut down player, he was named the Hockey East best defensive defenseman in 2017. That ability in his own end could pave a quick route to the NHL for Gilbert, who is no slouch with the puck on his stick.
Though he doesn’t carry it through the neutral zone as often as some of his contemporaries, he has a good first pass and get the puck out of his own end with possession. Deployed as a shadow of the opponent’s best players this season, he recorded just 10 points, but had 22 assists the year prior. The third-round pick from 2015 is still developing too, and could grow in to a full-time player for the Blackhawks.
I’m happy to see Gilbert turning pro with the Blackhawks. He will become a top defender before you know it.