Blackhawks Sign Anthony Louis

The Blackhawks have signed a second college prospect from their 2013 draft class to his two-year, entry-level contract.

Louis, 22, was a sixth round pick (#181 overall) by the Hawks in the 2013 NHL Draft.

In four years at Miami (Ohio), Louis scored 46 goals and 80 assists in 145 games. He was an alternate captain for Miami this season. Louis is listed at 5-8 and 160 pounds, is a left-handed shot and has played left wing and center. He was named First Team All-NCHC and is a finalist for NCHC Forward of the Year.

Louis’ contract will begin with the 2017-18 season, unlike John Hayden who will join the Blackhawks on the road this week and could play in a game on the upcoming trip.

Vinnie Hinostroza was excited to see Louis signed.

20 thoughts on “Blackhawks Sign Anthony Louis”

  2. I have a question that I hope somebody with knowledge of these things can help with. How does the NCHC compare with the OHL, the league that DeBrincat plays in?

    Thanks in advance!

  3. The NCHC is a college conference. OHL is a junior league in Canada.

    College scoring is generally WAY lower than juniors… what DeBrincat has done is remarkable in any league, but Louis & Hayden had very good offensive seasons of their own.

  4. JR vs NCAA – a couple differences jump out, not the least of which is that NCAA teams play about half as many games as JR teams, mostly because the NCAA players have classes to go to and tests to study for. NCAA teams generally play 35-40 games while JR teams play 68-72. Another major difference is age of players. The NCAA players are generally older be a couple years, in the 18-22 range, whereas JR players are 16-20.

    The level of competition is very good in both with my opinion giving the JR leagues a slight edge over the NCAA.

    With the signing of Louis I gotta think the Hawks are getting pretty close to being able to ice 4 forward lines with players under 5’11”.

  6. I will forever laugh at the “please stop with the little people” comments. Look up and down the system and there’s plenty of size to balance the vertically challenged folks like Hinostroza, DeBrincat, Louis.

  7. I agre with ER on his comparison but the CHL players also have to attend school most of them going to high schools in strange cities and towns and some going to university as well. The CHL also stresses education and gives awards of academic achievements and every year played they will pay for a years worth of university for those that aren’t pro bound

  8. re: size

    John Hayden: 6-3 210
    Kyle Baun: 6-2 210
    Graham Knott: 6-4 195
    Alexandre Fortin: 6-1 180
    Luke Johnson: 6-0 192
    Matthew Highmore: 5-10 187

    Yup, I’m concerned about how the Hawks will be able to compete w/ DeBrincat, Motte, Hinostroza & Louis

  9. The NHL is not just a “big mans” game any longer. Small, quick, agile and skillful players are in demand in the league.

  10. Top notch tab, thanks for the info you share! Blackhawks have an insanely deep rookie line up gotta hand it to the management and how they go about doing business. I was in Australia 3 months ago met a few people who were die hard fans & they have to watch the games on their phones at like 11am at work. That’s dedication!

  11. I think the important thing with these signings is can they skate. Speed and skill can offset size. The Hawks cleaned house of forwards in Rockford so it looks like the kids will be playing. I would like to see some defensemen and goalies signed Rockford didn’t have much this year.

  13. re: “I would like to see some defensemen and goalies signed”

    Svedberg, Carl Dahlstrom & Norell are signed thru next year. We might see the Hawks sign Snuggerud and/or Gilbert out of college, Andreas Soderberg and/or Joni Tuulola as well. There are also wild cards in a) Forsling being on the NHL roster (likely), b) Gustafsson’s future and c) college free agents (we named Joel Messner from Omaha earlier).

  16. Wall and Tab thanks for the info I was concerned since Rockford has been so poor defensively this season.

  19. Rockford just sent Robin Press back to Indy. Also Omaha Coach Dean Blais resigned yesterday after 8 seasons here. Reading deeper into this, I would expect to see Defenseman Luc Snuggerud sign with the Hawks any day now.

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