Chicago Blackhawks Sign Ryan Greene to Entry-Level Contract After NCAA Championship Loss

Just one day after a heartbreaking defeat in the NCAA national championship, Blackhawks forward prospect Ryan Greene has signed a three-year entry-level contract with Chicago, marking a swift transition from college star to NHL pro.

The deal, announced Sunday, carries an average annual value of $950,000 and will see Greene immediately join the Blackhawks' active roster for the final two games of the 2024-25 regular season. The 21-year-old will make his NHL debut Monday against the Montreal Canadiens, followed by a game Tuesday versus the Ottawa Senators.

Although the contract spans three years, the first year will be burned by Greene’s participation in these final regular-season matchups.

Greene’s Journey from NCAA Captain to NHL Rookie

Greene, a second-round pick (57th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft, just wrapped up his junior year at Boston University, where he served as team captain. Despite falling short in the national championship game against Western Michigan, Greene capped off his collegiate career with an impressive 38 points in 40 games, surpassing his sophomore totals.

“It’s been very enjoyable for me to step into a leadership role,” Greene said in February. “Coming back to school helped me mature and continue rounding out my game.”

The Newfoundland native opted to return to BU for his junior year, turning down an opportunity to sign with the Hawks last spring. That extra year of development has now paved the way for his NHL debut.

What Greene Brings to the Blackhawks

While Greene has shown consistent offensive production in college, his future in the NHL projects to be as a two-way center—a reliable, defensively responsible forward with strong hockey IQ and solid puck distribution skills.

“It’s easy to label him a third-line center,” said GM Kyle Davidson in February. “But when you’ve got a player with pace, hockey sense, and defensive reliability, you never know if they can elevate their game and contribute higher in the lineup.”

Greene’s NHL readiness and potential to become a dependable piece of the Blackhawks’ rebuild will be on full display in his first two games this week.

Future of BU and Blackhawks’ Prospect Pipeline

As Greene departs Boston University, the program may already have his replacement in the pipeline. According to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, Sacha Boisvert—Chicago’s 2023 first-round draft pick and standout freshman at North Dakota—is in the transfer portal and is expected to join BU. If confirmed, Boisvert would fill Greene’s role for the Terriers next season.