Upping their goaltending prospect pool, the Chicago Blackhawks have signed an outgoing college athlete
The Chicago Blackhawks have announced the signing of goaltender Collin Delia. The contract is for two years.
Delia was an undrafted free agent who attended Blackhawks prospect camp the last two seasons. He will forgo his last year of NCAA eligibility to play professionally.
Delia had spent the last three years at Merrimack College. He was a two-year starter.
In his first full year as a starter, he had a 2.96 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage.
Year over year difference
Last season, he raised his game. Delia went from a .889 save percentage to a .927 in his second year as starter. He also lowered his goals-against average from 2.96 to 2.15.
Based on his performance, he was named a Hockey East third team All-Star and finished ninth in the nation in save percentage. Delia is listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds and has the build of an NHL goaltender.
He finished his career with a record of 21-24-10 and a .912/2.48 slashline. He ranked fifth in Division I wins.
After being a two-year invite to the Blackhawks’ prospect camp, the Blackhawks got Delia to sign a contract.
AHL bound
Delia figures to be in the mix for playing time at Rockford with Jean-Francois Berube and Jeff Glass. While Matt Tompkins is signed to an AHL contract, he figures to play with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL to start the year.
Scott Powers of The Athletic believes Glass’ days are numbered with the organization.
Powers followed up with the fact that the Blackhawks have sent goalies to the ECHL under NHL contracts. Mac Carruth played for the Indy Fuel under this entry-level contract.
Carruth was on a one-year AHL deal with the IceHogs last season and does not figure to be part of the organization going forward.
Delia joins Anton Forsberg, Tompkins and Bérubé as the new additions to the Blackhawks/ IceHogs goalie pool.
Delia joins Wouter Peeters as the Blackhawks’ long-term prospects at the goalie position.