The Blackhawks have signed another one of their promising prospects. A couple of weeks after inking Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel, they announced that they’ve signed forward Aidan Thompson to a two-year, entry-level contract. The deal begins next season and will carry a cap hit of $895K.
The 23-year-old was a third-round pick by Chicago back in 2022, going 90th overall after an impressive showing with USHL Lincoln where he had 82 points in 57 games, putting him fourth in league scoring. Thompson then made the jump to the University of Denver for the 2022-23 campaign and did well in his freshman year, notching 32 points in as many games with them.
Things didn’t go as well for Thompson from an individual standpoint last year. While Denver won the NCAA title, his output dipped slightly to 11 goals and 19 assists in 44 games, raising some question marks heading into this season. Those were certainly answered and then some, however, as Thompson finished the year with 21 goals and 34 assists in 44 games, good for not just second on the Pioneers in scoring but second in Division I overall. That performance was clearly enough for Chicago to get him to put pen to paper on his first professional contract.
While Thompson’s deal doesn’t start until next season, he should have a chance to make his pro debut in the coming days as he has inked a tryout agreement with AHL Rockford. The IceHogs have five games left in their regular season and are getting close to clinching the final playoff spot in the Central Division so Thompson should be able to get into the lineup with them in the near future.
Good signing. Thompson has shown he’s a winning 2 way player which is just the kind of guy the Hawks need. I think he can walk into an NHL job next year. Just my opinion. One more to go in Greene and then on to the draft ping pong ball show.