Blake Hillman

Blake Hillman
Born (1996-01-26) January 26, 1996 (age 28)
Elk River, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 182 lb (83 kg; 13 st 0 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Left
AHL team
Former teams		 Hartford Wolf Pack
Chicago Blackhawks
NHL draft 173rd overall, 2016
Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career 2018–present

Blake Hillman (born January 26, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League (AHL). Hillman was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the sixth round, 173rd overall, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.[1]

Playing career

Hillman played two seasons in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints and Waterloo Black Hawks,[2] before attending the University of Denver.[3] Hillman played three years at the University of Denver where he was a member of the 2017 NCAA Champion Denver Pioneers.[4] Hillman was drafted in the sixth round, 173rd overall, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

At the end of his junior year, Hillman signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on March 27, 2018,[1] and made his NHL debut on March 30, 2018, in a game between the Blackhawks and the Colorado Avalanche.[5] Hillman recorded his first career NHL goal on April 4, 2018, in a game against the St. Louis Blues, to help the Blackhawks win 4–3.[6]

As an impending restricted free agent, Hillman was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Blackhawks, releasing him as a free agent on June 25, 2019.[7] With limited interest from NHL/AHL clubs, Hillman signed a one-year contract with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL on July 26, 2019.[8] In the 2019–20 season, Hillman contributed with 13 points through 35 regular season games with the Walleye, while also leaving on loan on two occasions by signing two tryout contracts in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins and Stockton Heat.

On January 20, 2021, Hillman extended his professional career by signing with the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL for the 2020–21 season.[9]

Following the 2021–22 season, having played with the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL and the Grand Rapids Griffins, Providence Bruins in the AHL, Hillman was signed to a one-year AHL contract with the Hartford Wolf Pack on July 6, 2022.[10]

International play

Hillman represented Team USA at the 2014 World Junior A Challenge where he helped Team USA win their 6th gold medal.[2]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 Elk River High USHS 25 2 4 6 8 2 0 0 0 0
2012–13 Elk River High USHS 24 2 12 14 8 2 0 2 2 2
2013–14 Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL 57 3 10 13 24 7 0 0 0 0
2014–15 Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL 42 3 8 11 12 — — — — —
2014–15 Waterloo Black Hawks USHL 13 0 7 7 6 — — — — —
2015–16 University of Denver NCHC 39 3 8 11 14 — — — — —
2016–17 University of Denver NCHC 43 1 7 8 18 — — — — —
2017–18 University of Denver NCHC 41 3 9 12 52 — — — — —
2017–18 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 4 1 0 1 0 — — — — —
2018–19 Rockford IceHogs AHL 54 1 3 4 20 — — — — —
2019–20 Toledo Walleye ECHL 35 1 12 13 8 — — — — —
2019–20 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 5 0 1 1 4 — — — — —
2019–20 Stockton Heat AHL 7 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2020–21 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL 43 3 8 11 12 12 0 1 1 2
2021–22 Toledo Walleye ECHL 13 2 11 13 2 13 1 6 7 6
2021–22 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 10 0 2 2 2 — — — — —
2021–22 Providence Bruins AHL 20 0 7 7 6 1 0 0 0 0
2022–23 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 29 0 5 5 14 7 2 2 4 2
2023–24 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 60 4 11 16 6 10 1 2 3 2
NHL totals 4 1 0 1 0 — — — — —

References

  1. ^ a b Knowles, Joe. "Defenseman Blake Hillman signs with Blackhawks, will join team immediately". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  2. ^ a b "25 - Blake Hillman". denverpioneers.com. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  3. ^ "Saints Defenseman Commits to University of Denver". ushl.com. January 14, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  4. ^ "Blake Hillman Signs with Chicago Blackhawks". denverpioneers.com. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  5. ^ "DU product Blake Hillman makes NHL debut for Blackhawks in Denver". The Denver Post. 2018-03-31. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  6. ^ Thomas, Jim (April 4, 2018). "Late Chicago goal defeats Blues 4-3". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  7. ^ "Blackhawks part ways with 4 minor-leaguers". Chicago Sun Times. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  8. ^ "Former Blackhawks defenseman Blake Hillman inks contract". Toledo Walleye. July 26, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  9. ^ ECHL (January 20, 2021). "Stingrays add defenseman Hillman". Twitter. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  10. ^ "Wolf Pack sign Blake Hillman and Ryan Lohin to AHL deals". Hartford Wolf Pack. July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.


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