Brandon Saad #43 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck under pressure from Zbynek Michalek #4 of the Pittsburgh Penguins as Brent Johnson #1 watches during a preseason game at the United Center on September 30, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(CBS) The Blackhawks announced Tuesday they have agreed to terms with forward Brandon Saad on a three-year deal.
Saad, 18, was tied for fourth on the Blackhawks with three points (one goal, two assists) in six games during the 2011 preseason. He was selected by the Blackhawks in the second round, 43rd overall of the 2011 draft. Saad tied for second on the Saginaw Spirit with 27 goals and totaled 55 points (27 goals, 28 assists) in 59 regular-season games last year in his Ontario Hockey League debut. During the OHL Playoffs, he finished third on the team with 12 points (3 goals, 9 assists) in 12 contests.
A native of Gibsonia, Pa., Saad competed for the United States National Team Development Program U-18 team in 2009-10, leading the club with 58 points (29 goals, 29 assists) in 63 games. He won a gold medal at the 2010 U-18 World Championships. Saad was also honored as the 2009 North American Hockey League Rookie Of The Year with Mahoning Valley.
