Luc Snuggerud, Chicago’s fifth-round pick in 2014, will skip his senior season at the University of Nebraska-Omaha after signing his entry-level contract today, the ‘Hawks announced.
Snuggerud -- who’s uncle, Dave, played nearly 300 NHL games with the Sabres, Sharks and Flyers -- just finished his junior campaign and performed well, scoring 11 goals and 31 points in 39 games. He finished tied first in the country for goals by a defenseman, and seventh in points.
The 21-year-old’s departure comes one day after longtime head coach Dean Blais announced he was leaving Omaha after eight years behind the bench.
Snuggerud, listed at 6-foot, 187 pounds, will join AHL Rockford on a tryout basis, and his ELC will kick in next year.