Brantford Bulldogs winger Nick Lardis has officially signed his three year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Chicago Blackhawks 3rd round pick Nick Lardis has officially signed his three year entry-level contract with the big club. Lardis was selected 67th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft by Chicago.

The Brantford Bulldogs winger has had a bit of an injury-riddled season — playing only 37 games — but he has been phenomenal when in the lineup. Lardis is one of the most effective goal scorers in major junior hockey when he is healthy, 

Lardis' deceptive release is what makes him a goal scoring threat at all times. He has the ability to curl the puck in so close to his body and change the angle at the last minute to catch the goaltender off guard. His shiftiness and quickness with the puck makes him difficult for opponents to track, and he always seems to be in the right spots to receive the puck.

Lardis' team is down in the series 2-1 currently to the Ottawa 67's, but you bet this signing will boost his confidence. There is no reason that Lardis doesn't have all of the confidence in the world right now, and we should see that on Thursday night for game four.

The Oakville, Ontario-native has had a different path to becoming an NHL prospect. He was drafted 6th overall by Peterborough in his OHL Draft year, but never really got his opportunity to shine there. He was buried in the bottom-six with all of the talent that the Petes had last season, that was until he was traded at the deadline.

Peterborough was loading up for a lengthy playoff run at the trade deadline — which worked out in the end — but losing Nick Lardis was one of those consequences. Lardis ended up in Hamilton — at the time — and came in and dominated straight away. 

Lardis had 25 goals and 46 points in just 33 games with the Bulldogs, after putting up .52 points per game in Peterborough previously.

The flip just switched for Lardis when he arrived in the black and gold, and he had the opportunity to be "the guy" which he never was in Peterborough. This second-half stint skyrocketed Lardis' draft stock. He was likely going to be drafted anyways, but in Hamilton he proved himself worthy of a top round pick.

Now just over a season since he was traded to the Bulldogs, Nick Lardis is an officially signed NHL prospect with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Lardis will look to turn this signing into motivation as his team looks to get themselves out of a hole in the first round of the playoffs.