Blackhawks forced to sign AHL goaltender to NHL deal due to injury crisis in net

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Cooper Godin
November 2, 2022 (12:52)

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There is an injury crisis in the crease for the Chicago Blackhawks. First, Petr Mrazek was placed on injured reserve on October 23rd with a groin issue, but appears to be close to returning and he's expected to travel with the team on their upcoming road trip.

Early in the first period on Tuesday night, Alex Stalock was run into by Islanders forward Casey Cizikas and was forced to leave the game and was placed in concussion protocol. Cizikas was ultimately fined by the NHL Department of Player Safety for the incident. With Stalock leaving the game, 23-year-old Arvid Soderblom came in relief, but the Blackhawks fell to the Islanders, 3-1.

Instead of calling up the only other goaltender on an NHL contract, Jaxson Stauber, the Blackhawks announced that they've signed Dylan Wells to a one-year, two-way contract worth $750,000.

Wells, 24, was signed to an AHL contract by the Rockford IceHogs, Chicago's affiliate, this summer. In three games this season, Wells has a 1-1-0 record with a 4.27 GAA and an .862 save percentage.

The Blackhawks will be back in action on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Kings at 8:30 p.m. ET.