Blackhawks land Colgate winger Baun

The Chicago Blackhawks agreed to terms with one of the most coveted collegiate free agents available, team officials announced Thursday.

Kyle Baun, who finished his junior season at Colgate University, agreed a two-year deal and will report to the Blackhawks.

With the entry-level contract, Baun is eligible to join the Blackhawks immediately but will not be available for the playoffs. If he plays this season, he will have one-year left on his deal.

Baun, 22, recorded a collegiate career-high 29 points (14G, 15A) in 38 games this season with Colgate University, leading the Raiders to a fourth-place finish in the ECAC. Colgate lost to Harvard in the tournament championship.

Baun, a 6-foot-2, 204-pound right winger, ranked second on Colgate in points, shared the lead in goals and ranked third with a +13 plus/minus rating.

The Toronto native is the grandson of NHL legend Bob Baun, who played more than 900 games with the Maple Leafs.

In three seasons at Colgate, Baun tallied 79 points (39G, 40A) in 113 games.

According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, the Blackhawks beat four other teams seeking to sign Baun: Detroit, Calgary, Winnipeg and Edmonton.

DJ Powers of Hockeyfutures.com, listed Baun as one of the top 10 potential NCAA free agents, and cited this report from scouts:

"He's a player that is difficult to move off of the puck, and he uses the aforementioned assets exceedingly well in gaining separation and in battles for loose pucks. Baun is an excellent skater with terrific speed. He has developed into a reliable scorer who can chip in goals at crucial times and can wreak havoc in front of opposing goaltenders."