Blackhawks, first-round pick Marek Vanacker agree to 3-year deal

The Chicago Blackhawks and first-round draft pick Marek Vanacker agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract that runs through the 2026-27 season, the team announced Monday.

The contract carries a $975,000 annual salary cap hit.

Vanacker, 18, was the No. 27 overall pick of June's draft by Chicago.

Playing for the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League during the 2023-24 season, the forward set regular-season career highs in games played (68), goals (36), assists (46) and points (82). He added seven points (three goals, four assists) in six postseason games in 2023-24.

The Ontario native played in 123 regular-season games with the Bulldogs from 2022-24, scoring 98 points (40 goals, 58 assists).

He helped Team Canada to win the gold medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship.

Vanacker was one of three first-round selections in the draft for the rebuilding Blackhawks. They landed Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov with the No. 2 overall pick and center Sacha Boisvert from Muskegon of the United States Hockey League at No. 18 overall.

Levshunov already is under contract.

--Field Level Media