The Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks have signed prospect forward Brandon Pirri to an entry-level contract.
Pirri, 19, will leave Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) after just one year, becoming the second player to give up his final three years of college eligibility to turn pro. Jerry D'Amigo signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on August 12.
Pirri was the Blackhawks' second round pick, 59th overall, in the 2009 NHL Draft.
In his first and only season with RPI, he scored 11 goals and 32 assists in 39 games, leaving him second on the team in points with 35 and leading all ECAC rookies in scoring.
