NAHL Alumnus, Adam Gajan, Signs NHL Contract with the Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that former Chippewa Steel goaltender, Adam Gajan, has signed a two-year entry-level NHL contract beginning for the 2026-27 season. The former Chippewa Steel goaltender will head to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (AHL) for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

Gajan just wrapped up his sophomore season with the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. The 21-year-old from Slovakia was drafted by the Blackhawks during the 2023 NHL Entry Draft following his season playing in the League of Opportunity with the Chippewa Steel. He was selected 35th overall by Chicago.

Over the past two seasons, he has played in net for the Bulldogs. In his sophomore season, Gajan featured a 2.25 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage in his 33 games played. The Slovakia native has also played internationally for his home country. This past year, he represented his home country at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games. In addition, the former Steel netminder played with Team Slovakia at the 2023 and 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, spotlighting a 5-3-0 record, .927 save percentage, and a 2.45 goals-against average. His dominance in the blue paint also notched him two shutouts during his time at World Juniors. At the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, Gajan was named the Best Goaltender due to his 2-2-0 record, .936 save percentage, and 2.40 goals-against average.

In addition, this past season, the ‘04 goaltender was selected to represent the U.S. Collegiate Selects at the Spengler Cup this past December. He helped to lift the team to reach the championship game at the annual event.

Prior to skating internationally and collegiately, Gajan played for the Chippewa Steel during the 2022-23 season. The Slovakian played 34 games with the Midwest Division team, notching a 2.57 goals-against average and .917 save percentage for the club. Following his rookie season in junior hockey, Gajan was drafted straight from the NAHL by the Chicago Blackhawks in the summer of 2023.