Blackhawks Sign 1st-Round Draft Pick Marek Vanacker

The Chicago Blackhawks locked up one of their 2024 first-round draft picks Monday by signing forward Marek Vanacker to an entry-level contract. It's a three-year pact that carries a $975,000 salary cap hit and runs through the 2026-27 season.

The 18-year-old is coming off an impressive 82-point campaign for the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs. Vanacker added seven points (three goals, four assists) in six playoff games. Those figures marked a major jump from his first OHL season, in which he logged 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in 55 games.

Vanacker was one of three first-round picks in a top-heavy 2024 Blackhawks' draft class. Chicago selected defenseman Artyom Levshunov second overall and forward Sacha Boisvert at pick No. 18 before nabbing Vanacker at No. 27 . The Blackhawks previously signed Levshunov to his entry-level deal before locking up Vanacker.

Vanacker is expected to return to the OHL for the 2024-25 season, which will cause his entry-level deal to slide.

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