Ever since the Blackhawks selected defenseman Ian Mitchell at No. 57 overall in the 2017 NHL Draft, Hawks fans have been chomping at the bit to get him in Chicago.
Now, they'll only have to wait until the start of next season, when the St. Albert, Alberta native's contract kicks in.
Mitchell, who spent his last three seasons at the University of Denver, won't be joining the team at summer camp or in Edmonton. He'd burn a year of his contract if he participated in camp and he's ineligible to play in the postseason tournament as players that signed during the pause were ruled out in the NHL and NHLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement extension.