Blackhawks prospect inks major contract to further hockey career development

Prospect Ty Henry is a 163rd overall pick in the 6th round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.

He's been out of the lineup of the Erie Otters since the start of the season due to suffering an ankleinjury during training camp with the Blackhawks. He's been out since September, and it's kept him out for the last three months.

Since it's December, it's only right that the gifts start coming, and Henry is on the receiving end of something nice from the University of St. Thomas, a scholarship offer.

The Montreal, Quebec-born shutdown defenseman has committed to the NCAA University of St. Thomas.

After playing two full seasons in the OHL and 120 games as an Erie Otter, where he scored 24 points (1-23). He began his junior hockey career in 2022-23, and now he'll have a chance to develop further as a player with the University of St. Thomas.

The 19-year-old is the son of former CFL player Andrew Henry. As expected, he's shown physicality in his game that benefits his team on the ice. He's quick to separate opponents from the puck and close a man out on the boards.

His frame is sizable at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, and he has the skating abilities of a potential NHL-calibre defenseman.

With his speed, he can stay on top of his assignments instead of playing catch-up. As a native-born Montreal player, he's had to travel much in his hockey career, playing in the Bishop-Kearney Selects program in 2020-21, and joined the Toronto Red Wings in the GTHL during his OHL draft year.

Fortunately for the Blackhawks, they had until June 1st, 2026, to sign Henry. With this move, the team holds onto his rights until he turns 22.

He'll join a roster that doesn't have any former OHLers in the lineup, but is expected to be joined by Kaeden Hawkins from the London Knights next season.

As expected, we've seen a major seismic shift that has benefited Henry and other junior hockey players who have made the jump from the CHL into the NCAA.