The Chicago Blackhawks have officially signed Anton Frondell, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, to a three-year entry-level contract. The contract carries an average annual value of $975,000, totaling $2.925 million. The announcement was made on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, solidifying the Blackhawks' commitment to their promising young prospect.
Frondell, an 18-year-old center, is coming off a successful season with Djurgarden in Sweden. He recorded 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 29 regular-season games and added 7 points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 16 playoff games. His performance was instrumental in helping Djurgarden earn promotion to the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) after playing in Allsvenskan, Sweden's second division, for the previous three seasons. Frondell's outstanding play earned him HockeyAllsvenskan's Rookie of the Year honors.
Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson has expressed his excitement about adding Frondell to the team. Davidson praised Frondell's hockey sense, his effective use of his body, and his ability to play a heavy, playoff-style game. He believes that Frondell's game is well-suited for the NHL, noting his versatility and ability to adapt to different play styles.
Frondell himself has stated his dream of playing in the NHL as soon as possible. He is eager to compete for a spot on the Blackhawks roster and contribute to the team's success. However, it is expected that Frondell will spend the upcoming season playing for Djurgarden in the SHL. A report from Sweden indicated that Frondell would be loaned back to Djurgården for the season. This would allow him to continue his development in a competitive league while the Blackhawks monitor his progress.
If Frondell returns to Sweden for the start of the SHL season on September 13, he may miss the Blackhawks' training camp. However, he remains eligible to play in the NHL, the AHL, or Sweden this season. The Blackhawks will have to decide whether they prefer to have more control over his development by keeping him closer to home for training camp.
Frondell was ranked No. 1 among International skaters by NHL Central Scouting in the lead-up to the 2025 draft. Born in Trangsund, Sweden, he has been part of the Djurgarden program since the age of 15. He has expressed his pride in playing for Djurgarden, citing the team's passionate fans and its significance in Stockholm and throughout Sweden. With the signing of Anton Frondell, the Blackhawks have taken another step in building a young and talented core.