The Chicago Blackhawks have finalized an agreement with defenseman Taige Harding, signing him to a two-year entry-level contract effective through the 2026-27 season. The contract includes a salary cap hit of $867,500.
Details from the team reveal that Harding will begin playing with the Rockford IceHogs, which is affiliated with the American Hockey League, under an Amateur Tryout Agreement for the rest of the 2024-25 season.
Harding, age 23, has recently completed a 37-game season with Providence College in the NCAA, where he achieved 14 points through two goals and 12 assists. His performance was notable as the 14 total assists were the most among defensemen on his team, with his 12 assists and 30 blocked shots each ranking second. His contributions helped Providence secure its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2019.
Originating from Glasgow, Great Britain, Harding has appeared in 123 NCAA games for Providence from 2022 to 2025, scoring 40 points with eight goals and 32 assists. During his sophomore year in the 2022-23 season, he marked personal bests with four goals, 13 assists, and 17 points across 37 games, placing him second among Providence defensemen in assists and points for that year.
Harding, who stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 235 pounds, was initially drafted by the Blackhawks in the third round as the 91st overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.