Blackhawks forward out for season following sports hernia surgery

Blackwell, 29, has registered 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 53 games this season, posting a minus-16. Blackwell signed a two-year, $2.4 million contract with the Blackhawks in July 2022, the contract has a cap hit of $1,200,000 and runs through 2023-24.

The North Andover, Massachusetts, product was originally drafted in the seventh round (No. 194) by the San Jose Sharks in the 2011 NHL Draft after tallying 33 goals and 66 points while captaining the St. John’s Prep High School team. He spent five seasons in the NCAA with Harvard University. In 2014-15, he was a part of the NCAA ECAC championship team alongside Toronto Maple Leafs forward Alex Kerfoot and New York Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey. The following season, Blackwell notched 19 points in 28 games and was awarded the NCAA (New England) Unsung Hero Award. He totaled 58 points in 94 NCAA games.

Blackwell made his NHL debut in 2018-19 with the Nashville Predators. He has since made stops in New York, Seattle and Toronto. He was selected by the Kraken at the 2021 NHL expansion draft and later traded to the Maple Leafs. His most productive NHL season came in 2020-21 when he notched a career-high 12 goals and 22 points in 47 games with the Rangers. Throughout 191 NHL games, he has recorded 27 goals and 35 assists for 62 points. Blackwell also represented the United States at the 2021 World Championship notching four goals in 10 games and taking home a bronze medal.