University of Denver junior defenseman Ian Mitchell has signed his NHL entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, the school announced Monday.
Mitchell, the Pioneers’ captain and first-team All-American last season, said last month he was leaning toward forgoing his senior year.
The 21-year-old was a 2017 second-round draft pick (57th overall) of the Blackhawks. He finished his 116-game college career with 71 assists, 11th-most all-time among DU defensemen.
“He always did the right thing, he put others before himself and he was a model citizen for all to follow,” DU coach David Carle said of Mitchell in a news release.