Blackhawks Sign Three Prospects To Contracts

CHICAGO (CBS) The Chicago Blackhawks have signed Alexander Salak, Byron Froese and David Gilbert to contracts, the team announced on Tuesday.

Salak signed a two-year contract and will likely be the frontrunner to backup goalie Corey Crawford. He had a 1.97 goals against average and a .926 save percentage in 33 regular-season games for Farjestad BK, the 2011 Swedish Elite League champions.

The Blackhawks acquired Salak, along with Michael Frolik, in the trade with the Florida Panthers on February 9. In two relief appearances with the Panthers last season, the Strakonice, Czech Republic, native stopped 34-of-40 shots,

Froese, 20, spent last season with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. He was a fourth round pick (119th overall) by the Blackhawks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. In three WHL seasons (Everett Silvertips from 2008-10 and Red Deer in 2010-11) Froese tallied 99 goals and 115 assists in 233 games.

Also selected in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft (seventh round, 209th overall), Gilbert spent this last season playing for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 209 games over four seasons, Gilbert recorded 156 points (70G, 86A) and 112 penalty minutes.