On Monday, August 5th the Chicago Blackhawks announced that they have agreed to terms with forward Marek Vanacker to a three-year, entry-level contract that runs through the 2026-27 season ($975,000 salary cap hit).
Vanacker, 18, posted regular-season career highs with 68 games played, 36 goals tallied, 46 assists totalling 82 points with the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League during the 2023-24 campaign. Vanackers 36 goals and 82 points led all of Brantford skaters, while his 46 assists ranked second on the club. He also posted seven points (3G, 4A) in six OHL postseason games in 2023-24. His four assists and seven points each shared second among all team players.
The native of Delhi, Ontario, Vanacker competed in 123 OHL regular-season games with the Bulldogs from 2022-24, totaling 98 points (40G, 58A). He has also made two trips to the OHL Playoffs, compiling seven points (3G, 4A) in 12 games. Vanacker also helped Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship, recording one goal in six games.
The 6-foot-1, 178-pound forward was drafted by the Blackhawks in the first round (27th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft.
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