Monday: The Blackhawks have officially announced the signing, and that Tuulola will report to the Rockford Icehogs for the rest of the season.
Thursday: According to Scott Powers of The Athletic (subscription required), the Chicago Blackhawks have signed Joni Tuulola to a two-year entry-level contract. Tuulola is expected to head to the AHL for the rest of the season, now that his year in Finland is over.
Tuulola, 22, was selected in the sixth round in the 2015 draft but broke out this season playing in Vaasa, Finland. After previously recording a career-high of 14 points, he registered 30 in 58 games for Sport, leading their defense corps in scoring while taking on a much bigger role. Part of the 2016 gold medal-winning Finnish World Junior Squad, Tuulola has developed nicely over the last few years and will now try professional hockey in North America.
Though he could potentially show enough at training camp to earn a spot with the Blackhawks, Tuulola’s role is more likely on the Rockford IceHogs next season as he adapts to the different league. The Blackhawks already have six NHL defensemen under contract for next season, and will have quite a battle for playing time in the AHL.