Blackhawks sign goaltender Adam Gajan to entry-level deal

Chicago announced that Gajan has agreed to terms on a two-year, entry-level contract with a $1.05 million annual salary cap hit through the 2027-28 season following a very successful season with the University of Minnesota Duluth (NCHC). Following that announcement, the Rockford IceHogs released an announcement of their own that they had signed Gajan to an amateur tryout agreement (ATO).

The 6-foot-3, 189-pound Poprad, Slovakia, native compiled a 26-25-2 record, a .899 SV%, a 2.65 goals against average and three shutouts in 54 career games with UMD. Prior to playing in the NCAA, Gajan appeared in 54 games with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League, amassing a 30-15-5 record and one shutout.

During his international career, Gajan represented Slovakia at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. He also played for Team Slovakia at the 2023 and 2024 IIHF World Junior Championships, compiling a 5-3-0 record and earning two shutouts, which earned him Best Goaltender honors at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.

The Rockford ATO means that he can join the team for their final eight games with current goaltenders Drew Commesso and Olivier Rodrigue. Stanislav Berezhnoy is also part of the IceHogs’ roster, but was suspended 20 games on Feb. 17 for violating the terms of the AHL/PHPA Performance Enhancing Substance Program. Berezhnoy is eligible to return on April 11.

Analysis

This move comes as a slight surprise, as it would not hurt Gajan’s development to play another year with the University of Minnesota Duluth. The Blackhawks have a nice list of young goaltenders already, but Commesso is a restricted free agent and Rodrigue is an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Arvid Soderblom and Berezhnoy will be unrestricted and restricted free agents, respectively, on July 1, 2027.

Having too many young, promising goaltenders is not a bad position to be in; just ask the Edmonton Oilers.