Chicago Blackhawks Sign Nazar to Entry-Level Contract
4/15/2024 12:31:00 PM | Ice Hockey
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Saturday (April 13) the signing of University of Michigan ice hockey sophomore forward Frank Nazar III to a three-year entry-level contract through the 2025-26 season at $925,0000.
Nazar made his NHL debut on Sunday (April 14) in the Blackhawks' final home game of the season at the United Center, becoming the 115th Michigan Wolverine to play in the NHL. He scored his first NHL goal on his first shot on goal, on his fourth shift -- and was named the NHL Network First Star of the Night.
This season, Nazar scored 17 goals and 24 assists in 41 games, averaging 1.00 point per game. He was one of the top six scorers in the Big Ten and finished 29th in the NCAA in total points. A native of Mount Clemens, Mich., Nazar had points in 26 games including 11 multiple-point games. Nazar scored four power-play goals on the No. 1 ranked power-play unit in the country, which averaged 33.6 percent, and scored three game-winning goals. The centerman went 54.7 percent at the face-off dot with 393 wins. He was named honorable mention All-Big Ten and NCAA All-Region after a two-point performance that included the between-the-legs pass, dubbed the "Michigan 2.0" that went viral.
He missed the majority of his freshman campaign recovering from an injury, making his debut on Feb. 10 versus Michigan State. A World Junior champion, Nazar won gold with USA this season after picking up eight assists in seven games.
In his two seasons as a Wolverine, Nazar played in 54 games and scored 19 goals and 29 assists for 48 points. He led Michigan to the 2023 B1G Tournament Championship and back-to-back NCAA Frozen Fours.
