BLACKHAWKS SELECT NICK SCHMALTZ IN 1ST ROUND

Philadelphia, Penn.- The Chicago Blackhawks have selected center Nick Schmaltz from the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League in the first round (20th overall) of the 2014 National Hockey League Draft at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Friday. Additionally, the Blackhawks have acquired the 20th- and 179th-overall selections of the 2014 NHL Draft from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the 27th- and 62nd-overall selections of the 2014 NHL Draft.

Schmaltz, 18, paced the Gamblers with 63 points and 45 assists in 55 regular-season games this past year. The Verona, Wis., native shared third on the club with 18 goals, including 11 power-play goals. He also led the team with 63 penalty minutes and 140 shots on goal. Schmaltz added three points (1G, 2A) in four postseason games. He has 119 points (37G, 82A) in 130 career USHL games across three seasons, in addition to five points (2G, 3A) in eight playoff contests.

Schmaltz won a silver medal with the United States at the 2013 Under-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament, pacing the team with eight points (5G, 3A) in five games. He also led the U.S. to a gold medal at the 2013 World Junior A Challenge with a tournament-high 12 points (4G, 8A) in four games; he was named the World Junior A Challenge MVP.

Season Tickets for 2014-15 Now on Sale: Reserve your seats today for the IceHogs 16th season of professional hockey and eighth as the AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. Call (815) 847-6399 or visit icehogs.com to find a ticket package that fits your needs.