CHICAGO (AP) — Frank Nazar made his NHL debut Sunday in Chicago, playing in the Blackhawks' final home game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
A smiling Nazar, wearing No. 91, took to the ice for a solo rookie lap before warming up and received a big cheer from early-arriving fans. He started the game at the center of the line with Jason Dickinson and Joey Anderson, but coach Luke Richardson said he might consider a few different combinations.
Nazar, 20, one of Chicago's top prospects, turned pro after the University of Michigan lost 4-0 to Boston College in the Frozen Four on Thursday night. The 5-foot-10 forward agreed to a three-year contract through the 2025-26 season with a salary cap hit of $950,000.
Nazar's arrival brought a sign of hope to Chicago toward the end of another difficult season. Connor Bedard lived up to the hype in his rookie year, but the Blackhawks finished with a 23-51-5 record against the Hurricanes.
Nazar, a native of Detroit, was selected 13th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. He appeared in 41 games in his final season with the Wolverines, recording 17 goals and 24 assists, including three game-winning goals.
“We know his level, so we have no problem putting him at this level,” Richardson said before the game against Carolina. “It's going to be a lot of information for him today. … We don't have to do anything special to him, let him do it, get him in a wide open position and he'll figure it out.” Yes, because he's a good player.”
Chicago concludes its schedule with games in Las Vegas on Tuesday and Los Angeles on Thursday. But Nazar's debut against Carolina could give him a taste of home before next season.
“I think it's a special place and this is his last home game so I think it's going to be really special for him and his family. They're great people that I've met,” Richardson said. he said. “It's great because they can be here nearby and you can see the national anthem and the energy in this building. When you have a new player coming in, the whole team gets more conscious and really I think they will look forward and encourage and help. I'm looking forward to seeing that too.”
Nazar appeared in 54 games over two seasons with Michigan, scoring 19 goals and dishing out 29 assists. He also helped the United States win the 2024 World Junior Championship, with eight assists in seven games.
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