NEWSLETTER
It was just a matter of time after the IIHF World Championships came to a close, but the Chicago Blackhawks announced on Wednesday that they have signed 2020 first-round draft pick Lukas Reichel to a three-year entry-level contract through the 2023-24 season at a $925,000 AAV Cap hit.
AUF GEHT'S!
2020 first-round #NHLDraft pick Lukas Reichel has signed a 3-year entry-level deal. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/RHir5QhSgW
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 9, 2021
Reichel was the 17th overall pick by the Blackhawks in the 2020 NHL Draft last year and has played the last two seasons professionally in the German DEL with Eisbären Berlin. In two years in the DEL, Reichel has skated in 80 games and tallied 22 goals and 51 points, including 27 points in 38 games this season as Eisbären Berlin won the 2021 DEL championship. He also played with Germany at the IIHF World Championships, helping them finish fourth in the tournament with two goals and six points in nine games.
"We’re excited to be able to add such a young, dynamic player to our forward group.”
Willkommen in Chicago, Lukas! #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/DfK4zel43r
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 9, 2021
Riechel is eligible to join the Blackhawks or the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL next season due to being drafted out of Europe. He will have every chance to make the Blackhawks NHL roster next season and was already likely part of the plans for Chicago at the NHL level for the 2021-22 season.
Let's see what Lukas Reichel has been up to with @Eisbaeren_B, shall we?#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/WKf6bDMr4y
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 9, 2021
Chicago comes into next season off a surprising year that was highlighted by the opportunity for development for so many of their young players and rookies. With the uncertainty around Captain Jonathan Toews, Reichel joins the Blackhawks as a center, a position they need help with. It’s not a guarantee that he’ll stay there his whole career, or even for a whole season, but it’s an opportunity for the 19-year-old to get a chance to live up to his first-round booking early in his career.
