June 28, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Marek Vanacker was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvani-USA TODAY Sports The Chicago Blackhawks announced Monday that they have agreed to terms with first-round draft pick Marek Vanacker on a three-year entry-level contract that will run through the 2026-27 season.
The contract has an annual salary cap of $975,000.
Vanak, 18, was selected by Chicago with the 27th overall pick in June's draft.
The forward spends the 2023-24 season with the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League, setting regular season career records in games played (68), goals (36), assists (46) and points (82). Career high. He has seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in six playoff games in 2023-24.
The Ontario native appeared in 123 regular season games with the Bulldogs from 2022-24, scoring 98 points (40 goals, 58 assists).
He helped Team Canada win the gold medal at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship.
Vanak was one of three first-round picks in the draft for the rebuilding Blackhawks. They signed defenseman Artyom Levshunov from Michigan State with the second overall pick and drafted American Hockey League guard Artyom Levshunov from Muskegon with the 18th overall pick. center Sacha Boisvert.
Levshunov has already signed the contract.
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