Height/Weight: 5-11 / 181 lb
Shoots: Left
Hometown: Fort Collins, CO
Age: 23
Contract: Second year of two-year Entry Level Contract (ELC)
Draft: Chicago Blackhawks - Round 3 (#91 overall) in 2021 NHL Entry Draft
2024-25 Team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL) / University of Denver (NCAA)
2024-25 Stats: 4GP, (0,1,1) 0 PIMS / 44GP, (21,34,55), 26 PIMS

They Said it:

~AHL Rockford Head Coach Jared Nightingale

"That's what his game is built on, being highly competitive and you're trying to showcase to the staff here [Chicago] what you bring."

~NHL Chicago Assistant General Manager of Player Development Mark Eaton

“He shows the offensive IQ that he has, the quickness the strength on pucks, the ability to create separation, he’s transitioned seamlessly to the pro level.”

He Said It:

On what he worked on over the summer: 

"I would say skating is a big part at the next level, speed is huge. So, I think that’s one part of my game that I’ve always been decent at but am trying to be better at. I think my shot has always been not one of my greatest strengths. So not only to work on my strengths but to also work on my weaknesses. One thing to just shoot pucks everyday trying to get it a little more powerful and a little more accurate has helped me a lot. The more you shoot, I think the more it’ll kind of work itself out." 

On ending the 2024-25 season in Rockford:

"It was great actually, I mean some people don’t go at the end of the year. They want to take some time off, but for me it was great. The staff was great, the players were great. I think it was good just to get my feet wet, feel the schedule the guys go through day-to-day." 

On adjustments to the pro game:

"It's a little bigger, a little stronger. I think DU's [Denver] coaching staff does such a great job preparing us for playing at the next level. I think every level you go up, the plays are made a little bit quicker. The speed of skating is a big jump from the USHL to college, and then the pace of play is more of a jump when you go from college to the pro level. " 

On his college career and signing with the Blackhawks:

"I would just say I felt like I had accomplished everything I went to Denver to accomplish. We won every trophy there was to win when I was there. I love my time there, I love the staff, I love my teammates. It definitely wasn’t an easy decision, but I felt I was ready to take the jump and couldn’t be more excited to be part of the Blackhawks."

2024-25 Notes:

• Recorded career highs with 21 goals and 34 assists for 55 points in his junior season.

• Signed a two-year, entry-level contract with Chicago on April 12, 2025.

• made his professional debut with the IceHogs on April 13, 2025 at Milwaukee.

• Recorded his first professional point with an assist on April 18, 2025 vs. Grand Rapids.

• Recorded his first Calder Cup playoff point with an assist on April 25, 2025 vs. Chicago.

• Recorded his first Calder Cup playoff goal on May 3, 2025 against Milwaukee.

Career Notes:

• 2024 NCAA Champion with Denver

• Team Alternate Captain (2024-25)

• 2025 NCAA Northeast Regional All-Tournament Team

• All-NCHC Second Team (2024-25)

• 3x NCHC Academic All-Conference Team (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25) 3x NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25)

Personal:

• Has a younger brother, Marek who plays for the Minnesota Mallards in the NAHL. Marek has committed to play college hockey for University of New England.

• Has a Chocolate Lab named Caesar.

**Rockford IceHogs tickets are on sale now! Head to icehogs.com and secure your seat at the BMO Center this season.**