Thursday has been a busy news day for the Chicago Blackhawks. No more than an hour after announcing the call-up of Ethan Del Mastro, they announced that AJ Spellacy has agreed to his entry-level contract.
Chicago selected Spellacy in the third round (72nd overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. For being 18 years old, he looks like he might have been a hidden gem based on how far he’s come since being drafted.
Spellacy was used with a pick given to Chicago by the Ottawa Senators in the Alex DeBrincat trade. Now, he joins Kevin Korchinski and Paul Ludwinski as prospects who came from that trade (via the draft) and have signed their ELCs.
His entry-level deal comes in at $975K for three years. He earned this contract with Chicago as he was a standout during the preseason. Since going back to the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, he has taken on a leadership role which is rare for someone his age.
As their alternate captain, Spellacy has 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points in 40 games played. He isn’t lighting the entire league on fire offensively yet but the signs of developing into a great player are there.
Why did the Blackhawks make this move while he is still playing major junior hockey? Well, it certainly shows a commitment to the player. Kyle Davidson and his staff believe he will be on the team one day.
It also keeps Spellacy from going to play college hockey in 2025-26 under the new rule that junior players can go to college. Per the AHL’s age rules, however, he won’t be able to play for the Rockford IceHogs next season. It will either be with the Chicago Blackhawks or Windsor Spitfires.
Due to his age, you can bet it will be the latter unless he shows that he’s ready to make the jump during training camp and the preseason. His ineligibility for the AHL makes that seem like a long shot.
Chicago is committed to building this thing through the draft and development. Spellacy is the latest example of that. Only time will tell how long it takes him to make his NHL debut.
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