Matt Boldy and Mike Hardman have become the first offseason losses for Boston College hockey, as both sophomores signed entry-level professional contracts on Tuesday set to start this season. Boldy signed with the Minnesota Wild, and Hardman will join the Chicago Blackhawks.
Boldy, drafted 12th overall by the Wild in 2019, will join its American Hockey League extension team, the Iowa Wild, on a three-year deal. His contract stipulates a $700,000 payday in his first year and $925,000 in years two and three each if he makes it to the NHL.
The 19-year-old forward and Milford, Mass. native is a Hobey Baker Award top-10 finalist and finished his college career with 56 points in 55 games. This season, he led the Eagles in points with 11 goals and 20 assists.
Boldy also made his international debut this year as a member of Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, in which he and teammates Spencer Knight and Drew Helleson took gold.
Though Boldy was BC’s highest 2019 NHL Draft pick, his linemate Hardman went undrafted. The 22-year-old is now ineligible for the draft, but he signed an entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on Tuesday. Hardman finishes his BC career with 44 points in 58 games. This season, he recorded 19 points on 10 goals and nine assists, good for third on the team.
Hardman joins the Blackhawks immediately and will remain with them for the remainder of the season. The free agent’s contract runs through the 2021-22 season and includes a $912,500 salary cap, and he will begin on the taxi squad.
Featured Graphic by Olivia Charbonneau / Heights Editor
