Blackhawks ink Oliver Moore, Sam Rinzel to entry-level deals

The Chicago Blackhawks signed prospects Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel to their three-year, entry-level deals, the team announced Saturday.

Both players just wrapped up their sophomore years with the University of Minnesota and are expected to make their NHL debuts Sunday against Utah, according to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli. Minnesota's NCAA campaign ended with an overtime loss to Massachusetts-Amherst in the regional semifinal Thursday.

Moore, a 20-year-old center, ranked fourth on the Golden Gophers with 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) in 38 outings this season.

Rinzel, meanwhile, chipped in with 10 tallies and 32 points in 40 contests as a 20-year-old blue-liner. The 6-foot-5, right-handed shot was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

The duo participated in Chicago's Saturday practice, per the Chicago Sun-Times' Ben Pope. Moore slotted onto the third line with Joe Veleno and captain Nick Foligno, while Rinzel skated alongside Wyatt Kaiser.

The Blackhawks drafted Rinzel with the 25th overall selection in 2022 before taking Moore with the 19th pick one year later.

Moore won back-to-back gold medals with the United States at the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championships, amassing eight points in 14 games across both events. Rinzel represented Team USA at the 2024 tournament, chipping in one assist in seven appearances while averaging 14:50 per contest.

It's been another trying season for the Blackhawks, who entered Saturday's slate 31st in the league with a 21-43-9 record. They were officially eliminated from playoff contention March 20.

Chicago has nine games remaining on its schedule.

Fellow Blackhawks top prospect Artyom Levshunov made his NHL debut earlier in March.

Former Golden Gophers winger Jimmy Snuggerud also ended his college career Friday, inking his entry-level deal with the St. Louis Blues.