Blackhawks agree to terms with top OHL defenseman on AHL contract

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The Blackhawks landed another major name on Tuesday, having agreed to terms with undrafted free agent defenseman Darren Raddysh on a one-year AHL contract. He will report to the Rockford IceHogs, where he will get a chance to prove himself in hopes of signing an NHL deal with the big club.

Raddysh, 21, was named the OHL's top defenseman after scoring 16 goals and 65 assists for 81 points in 62 regular-season games for the Erie Otters, where he was teammates with top Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat.

Raddysh, who's 6-foot, 200 pounds and possesses a right-handed shot, also registered eight goals and 14 assists in 22 playoff games, and led all defenseman with three goals, five assists and eight points during the Memorial Cup.

He compiled 41 goals and 143 assists for 184 points across 272 games during his five-year OHL career, and is the Otters' all-time leader in assists and points.

It's a huge signing for the Blackhawks organization, who continue to stockpile prospects and young blue line depth, which is important considering the Blackhawks are also likely to lose Trevor van Riemsdyk in the expansion draft and are not expected to re-sign veteran Johnny Oduya, and possibly Brian Campbell, too.

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