Chicago Blackhawks Secure Future Defense with Phillips and Crevier on New One-Year Deals
The Chicago Blackhawks have secured the services of defensemen Isaak Phillips and Louis Crevier for another year, both agreeing to one-year, two-way contracts. The announcement ensures that the Blackhawks retain two promising talents as they continue to fortify their roster for the upcoming season. Both contracts are valued at $775,000 at the NHL level.
Phillips, at just 22 years old, has already shown his potential in balancing duties between the Blackhawks and their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. Throughout the 2023-24 season, the 6-foot-3 defenseman played in 33 games for Chicago, notching six assists and accumulating 22 penalty minutes.
His on-ice contributions extended beyond scoring, with Phillips delivering 56 hits and 36 shot blocks. Averaging over 17 minutes per game, including significant time on the penalty kill, Phillips has demonstrated skills that make him a valuable asset for the Blackhawks defense.
Originally drafted in the fifth round in 2020, the Barrie, Ontario native has appeared in 53 NHL games in total, marking a promising start to his young career. Come September, Phillips looks set to compete for a depth role at the Blackhawks’ training camp.
Crevier, another young defenseman standing at an impressive 6-foot-8, also solidified his place in the lineup last season. The Quebec City native participated in 24 NHL games, collecting three assists and showcasing his defensive abilities with 30 hits and 50 blocks. Averaging 15:41 of ice time per game in his first NHL season, Crevier split his time effectively between the Blackhawks and the IceHogs, where he added 11 points across 41 AHL games.
Selected in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL Draft, Crevier, like Phillips, is poised to make an impact at training camp. His primary goal will be to secure a regular roster spot from the outset, or position himself as a top call-up option in the event of injuries within the team.
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has been active this offseason, working toward accelerating the team’s rebuild. The organization’s strategy moved forward on the back of an impressive season from rookie Connor Bedard, prompting Davidson to make influential signings including Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, Pat Maroon, Laurent Brossoit, TJ Brodie, and Alec Martinez. These acquisitions are set to bolster the Blackhawks as they aim to climb the ranks in the NHL standings.
