Blackhawks Sign Matheson Iacopelli
After Western Michigan’s 2016-17 season ended on Friday night, one of their top scorers is leaving to join the Blackhawks.
On Tuesday, Chicago announced the team has signed forward Matheson Iacopelli to a two-year, entry-level contract.
Welcome aboard!
Forward Matheson Iacopelli has inked a two-year deal with the #Blackhawks that starts next season and runs through 2018-19. pic.twitter.com/LUnXo7znJa
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 28, 2017
Iacopelli, 22, had 20 goals and 16 assists in 40 games this season as a sophomore at Western Michigan. He was selected in the third round (#83 overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft with a pick acquired from Calgary for Brandon Bollig.
Iacopelli is only eligible to sign a two-year ELC because of his age. Iacopelli will turn 23 in May.
He joins a growing list of college players to join the Blackhawks out of the NCHC. Nick Schmaltz and Luke Johnson left North Dakota last year and Anthony Louis finished his career at Miami this season.
Saw him play here in Omaha this past season. Big body. Good positioning in offensive zone. He “lurks” meaning, he waits for the play to come to him and does not chase the puck all over the ice. When he gets the puck on his stick, he looks to fire it. Very good instincts and can finish. Well coached by Andy Murray.
He appears ready for pro hockey.
Prospect camp observations…
Heavy shot, strong.
I was not impressed with his skating… Could be a bigger version of “Pirri”… + shot
minus skater… at least he is bigger than Pirri- so maybe wins a board battle?
But don’t know if he cuts it… like Pirri skating wise
Average skating is very hard to overcome in today’s game. He had a poor first year at WMU but made nice progress this year although he is old for a second year college player. Should definitely help the Hogs offense.
Craig – any insight on Hillman, the d-man at Denver that we drafted last year?
Lurks…sounds a lot like floats… which makes me think of a former Hawks prospect that isn’t to be named here.
Definitely benefited from the coaching change.
MS – Hawks liked Hillman as a solid puck moving defenseman, when they picked him. I was told, last fall that his upside is a 3rd pairing defenseman. He has had a decent but unspectacular year. He is very responsible in his own end. Not sure if opinions have changed about him in the last few months.
The Sea Dogs are up 3-0 over Rimouski Highmore has 1G 4A and is +5 with 42/71 in FO. Noel has 2A +5 and 27/49 FO.
Good stuff ms, craig and gbladz thx
The Hawks should issue their own Future Watch” to counter the Hockey News which rates us as a C- and 27th for prospects. Oh really ?
90 % of the guys on Future Watch will never bury a goal in the NHL like Tanner Kero did in Pittsburgh. 90 % of the guys in the upper echelon of Future Watch will never kick to the stick and score like John Hayden did against Toronto.
But hey I’m biased. I’m a Hawks fan and I love the development part of the game, especially when diamonds in the rough pan out.