Corbeil's Ben Gaudreau will join an up-and-coming organization by signing a one-year deal AHL deal with the Rockford IceHogs; the farm team for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Gaudreau was originally drafted in the third round, 81st overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks. He was released in the summer of 2023 and ended up joining the Tampa Bay Lightning as he attended their main camp and after going unsigned also joined their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch at the end of his season with the Erie Otters.
"We are excited about the addition of another quality goaltender like Ben," said IceHogs President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Mark Bernard in a release.
"He enjoyed a tremendous junior career and has experience on the international stage as well. It will be exciting to watch his development over the next year."
Gaudreau, 21, spent the 2023-24 season with the Erie Otters in the OHL and served as the team's top goaltender with a 20-11-2 record, 3.29 goals-against average, and .890 save percentage. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound goaltender played five seasons in the OHL between Erie and the Sarnia Sting, and in that span, he amassed a 74-54-12 record, 3.53 goals-against average, and .890 save percentage.
Gaudreau has also represented Team Canada twice at the IIHF World Junior Championship: once at the U18 level in 2021 and once at the U20 level in 2023. In 2023 with Team Canada, the Corbeil, Ontario native appeared in two games and recorded one shutout in route to helping his team win the gold medal. With the U18 club in 2021, Gaudreau finished with a perfect 5-0-0 record, 2.20 goals-against average, and .919 save percentage. His efforts earned him recognition as the U18 WJC Best Goaltender in the tournament, and his Team Canada side captured gold. After his 2020-21 season, the San Jose Sharks selected him in the third round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
The goaltender was invited to attend the Chicago Blackhawks' Development Camp from Sunday, June 30 to Friday, July 5.
