Blackhawks sign 4 prospects to entry-level contracts

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed left wing Rob Klinkhammer, defensemen Jonathan Carlsson and Brian Connelly, and goaltender Alec Richards to entry-level contracts.

Carlsson, 20, has spent the last three seasons in the Swedish Elite League. In one season with Brynas IF Gavle, he posted 1 assist and 58 penalty minutes in 55 games. The Uppsala, Sweden, native was the Blackhawks' fourth choice (162nd overall), in the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Klinkhammer,23, tied for fifth on the Rockford IceHogs with 15 goals and ranked seventh with 33 points in 76 regular-season games last season in the American Hockey League. The Lethbridge, Alberta, native shared third on Rockford with a +14 plus/minus rating during the regular season. Klinkhammer has appeared in 142 AHL games over the last two seasons with the Norfolk Admirals (2007-08) and IceHogs, racking up 57 points (27 goals, 30 assists) and 73 penalty minutes.

Connelly, 22, made his professional debut with Rockford last season, recording 3 points and 6 penalty minutes in nine regular-season games and 2 penalty minutes in three postseason games. Prior to joining the IceHogs, the Bloomington, Minn., native finished his third season with Colorado College (WCHA), leading team defensemen with 24 assists and 27 points in 38 contests.

Richards, 21, capped a four-year career at Yale University this spring, notching a 19-5-1 record with a 2.06 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage, leading the club to the ECAC title. The Robbinsdale, Minn. , native finished his career (2005-09) at Yale as the school's all-time leader in save percentage (.923) and shutouts (6), while ranking second in wins (39) and goals-against average (2.68).