Blackhawks Sign Top College Hockey Player

PITTSBURGH (CBS/AP) — The Blackhawks have signed forward Drew LeBlanc of St. Cloud State, who won the Hobey Baker Award, given to the nation's top college hockey player.

LeBlanc, 23, who helped to lead the Huskies to an appearance in the Frozen Four, becomes the first member of the St. Cloud State program to ever win the coveted award. The Blackhawks announced a one-year deal with him on Thursday, the day he received the recognition.

LeBlanc, a fifth-year senior center, led the nation with 37 assists in 42 games. He scored 13 goals, and finished with 50 points, good for seventh in the nation. He was a two-year captain for the Huskies, who lost to Quinnipiac, 4-1, Thursday in the national semifinals here.

He is a native of Hermantown, Minn., and was named first team all-conference in the WCHA this season.

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