Carolina Hurricanes sign forward Jackson Blake to three-year, entry-level contract

The 20-year-old forward tallied 22 goals and 38 assists in 40 games with the University of North Dakota this season. He finished fourth in points (60) and third in assists among all NCAA Divison 1 skaters. 

Blake recorded a National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC)-record 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 24 conference games, earning him NCHC Player and Forward of the Year honors.

He was also named the NCHC Rookie of the Year in 2022-23 and posted 102 points (38 goals, 64 assists) in 79 career games with the Fighting Hawks. He tallied at least one point in 60 of his 79 games. 

North Dakota fell 4-3 to Michigan in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Michigan will face top-seeded Boston College in the Frozen Four on Thursday. 

Although future first-round pick Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini is the likely winner, Blake was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award given to the NCAA’s most outstanding player.

“Jackson is an explosive playmaker who has played a key role in North Dakota’s success over the past two seasons,” said Carolina president and general manager Don Waddell. “Hockey is in his blood, and we can’t wait to see how his game continues to grow at the next level.”

Blake, at 5’11”, 173-pounds, racked up 94 points (34 goals, 60 assists) in 86 games with the Chicago Steel of the USHL prior to college, including scoring the game-winning goal in their 2021 Clark Cup title. 

He also tallied six points (one goal, five assists) ​​while winning a bronze medal for the United States at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. 

The Hurricanes begin the final three games of their regular season against the St. Louis Blues on Friday.