Colin Blackwell

Colin Blackwell
Blackwell with the Dallas Stars in 2025
Born (1993-03-28) March 28, 1993
Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position Center
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 Dallas Stars
Nashville Predators
New York Rangers
Seattle Kraken
Toronto Maple Leafs
Chicago Blackhawks
National team  United States
NHL draft 194th overall, 2011
San Jose Sharks
Playing career 2016–present

Colin Blackwell (born March 28, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a center for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career

Junior

Blackwell was born on March 28, 1993, to parents Jim and Carla Blackwell in Lawrence, Massachusetts, but grew up in North Andover, Massachusetts.[1] From 2004 until 2010, Blackwell played minor hockey with the Valley Junior Warriors.[2] In 2010, Blackwell played with the Boston Junior Whalers, a spring/summer team, and he continued to be a coach with the program in later years.[3]

Blackwell played high school hockey with St. John's Prep from 2007 to 2011. During the 2010–11 regular season, he recorded 26 goals and 24 assists for 50 points, as well as a +42 rating. In the Division 1A tournament, he tallied 16 points in five games, bringing his totals that season to 66 points in 25 games.[4][1] Due to his performance, he received the Mr. Hockey Award from ESPN Boston for being the top male player in high school hockey.[4] In 2022, he was inducted into the St. John's Prep Athletics Hall of Fame.[5] Prior to the 2011 NHL entry draft, Blackwell was ranked 173rd out of all North American skaters.[6] On June 27, 2011, during the draft, Blackwell was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the seventh round, 194th overall.[7]

Collegiate

In 2011, Blackwell started his collegiate career with the Harvard Crimson of ECAC Hockey.[8] He made his collegiate debut on November 4 against Princeton, and he scored his first goal on November 12 against Colgate. He was named ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week for the week of November 29.[9] During the ECAC semifinals on March 16, 2012, Blackwell registered four assists, the most of any Harvard player since 2002, as part of a 6–1 victory over Cornell.[10][9] He finished the 2011–12 season with five goals and 14 assists for 19 points.[11] Blackwell was named a semifinalist for the Walter Brown Award, given to the best American-born college hockey player in New England.[12]

During 2012–13 season, Blackwell was affected by two concussions four months apart, forcing him to take time off from college and miss most of the season.[13][14] That season, he had totaled three goals and 11 assists for 14 points in only 21 games.[15] Due to his symptoms, he also missed the entirety of the 2013–14 season.[14] After missing 26 of 31 games of the 2014–15 season, Blackwell returned to the team in late February 2015.[16][14] On March 6, in the ECAC Tournament, he scored two goals against Brown, and he scored once more against them the next game.[17][18][9] On March 21, Blackwell scored an empty net goal in a 4–2 victory over Colgate to help Harvard win the ECAC Tournament.[19] He finished the season with 11 games played, achieving five goals and an assist.[9]

Near the beginning of the 2015–16 season, it was announced that Blackwell would play the entirety of the campaign.[20] On January 9, 2016, in a game at Madison Square Garden against Quinnipiac, Blackwell scored a goal and recorded two assists in a 5–4 overtime loss.[21][9] Through 28 games that season, he achieved six goals and 13 assists, his 19 total points matching his career-high which he set in his first year. Due to his performance, the New England Hockey Writers awarded Blackwell the Joe Tomasello Unsung Hero Award.[22][9]

Professional

San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres organizations

Following his final season at Harvard, Blackwell began his professional career with the San Jose Sharks organization. On September 20, 2016, Blackwell was named to the roster of the Sharks' training camp.[23] On October 3, he was reassigned from the Sharks' training camp to the training camp of the San Jose Barracuda, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Sharks.[24] Blackwell made his AHL debut on October 15 against the Stockton Heat, also recording his first professional assist during the game.[25] On November 25, 2016, Blackwell scored his first professional goal as part of a 4–1 win over the Bakersfield Condors.[26] Blackwell finished the 2016–17 season with four goals and seven assists for 11 points in 57 games. He then played 15 games in the 2017 Calder Cup playoffs, scoring three goals.[25]

As a free agent, Blackwell left the Sharks organization to participate in the Buffalo Sabres rookie camp, before joining their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, on a professional tryout offer to begin the 2017–18 season.[27] He produced 3 points in 8 games before securing an AHL contract with the Americans on November 2, 2017.[28] He continued to find an offensive role with the Americans, increasing his points totals to lead all forwards with 17 goals and 45 points in 61 games.

Nashville Predators

On July 3, 2018, Blackwell signed his first NHL contract as a free agent, agreeing to a two-year, two-way deal with the Nashville Predators.[29] After attending the Predators training camp, Blackwell was reassigned to start the 2018–19 season with AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.[30] Despite missing 27 games through injury, Blackwell recorded 7 goals in 14 games to earn his first recall to the Predators on January 19, 2019.[31] He made his NHL debut the same day, playing on the fourth line, in a 4–2 loss to the Florida Panthers at home.[32]

New York Rangers, Seattle Kraken, and Toronto Maple Leafs

On October 9, 2020, as a free agent, Blackwell signed a two-year contract worth $725,000 annually with the New York Rangers, with the second year of his contract on a one-way basis.[33] In the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, on January 24, 2021, Blackwell made his Rangers debut during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins and scored his first goal with the team, despite a 3–2 loss. On March 28, Blackwell's 28th birthday, he scored a career-high two goals against the Washington Capitals. He became the eighth Ranger to have a multi-goal game on his birthday, the first player since Ryan Callahan on March 21, 2009. In a breakout season with the Rangers, Blackwell finished with 12 goals and 22 points through 47 regular season games.

On July 21, 2021, Blackwell was selected from the Rangers at the 2021 NHL expansion draft by the Seattle Kraken.[34] Blackwell scored eight goals and 17 points in 38 games for the Kraken.

On March 20, 2022, Blackwell was traded at the NHL trade deadline to the Toronto Maple Leafs with Mark Giordano in exchange for a second-round pick in 2022 and 2023 and a third-round pick in 2024.[35] Blackwell scored two goals and three points in 19 games for Toronto to finish the regular season, then added one goal and two points in seven playoff games during the Leafs' first-round loss to the Lightning.

Chicago Blackhawks

On July 13, Blackwell signed a two-year, $2.4 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks as a free agent.[36][37] Blackwell appeared in 53 games for the Blackhawks before suffering a season-ending sports hernia in March 2023. His recovery was derailed by complications, which resulted in him returning later than expected in December 2023.[38] Blackwell was Chicago's nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the league's player who "best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey."[39]

Dallas Stars

As a free agent after the conclusion of his contract with the Blackhawks, Blackwell was signed to a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Dallas Stars on July 2, 2024.[40] On April 21, 2025, he scored the game-winning goal in overtime against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 St. John's Prep USHS 25 33 33 66 10 — — — — —
2011–12 Harvard University ECAC 34 5 14 19 46 — — — — —
2012–13 Harvard University ECAC 21 3 11 14 10 — — — — —
2014–15 Harvard University ECAC 11 5 1 6 6 — — — — —
2015–16 Harvard University ECAC 28 6 13 19 12 — — — — —
2016–17 San Jose Barracuda AHL 57 4 7 11 24 15 3 0 3 8
2017–18 Rochester Americans AHL 61 17 28 45 23 3 1 2 3 0
2018–19 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 43 14 12 26 22 5 1 0 1 4
2018–19 Nashville Predators NHL 6 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2019–20 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 26 6 17 23 21 — — — — —
2019–20 Nashville Predators NHL 27 3 7 10 10 — — — — —
2020–21 New York Rangers NHL 47 12 10 22 15 — — — — —
2021–22 Seattle Kraken NHL 39 8 9 17 4 — — — — —
2021–22 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 19 2 1 3 10 7 1 1 2 17
2022–23 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 53 2 8 10 6 — — — — —
2023–24 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 44 8 4 12 10 — — — — —
2024–25 Dallas Stars NHL 63 6 11 17 16 11 1 0 1 6
2025–26 Dallas Stars NHL 70 4 11 15 40 6 0 0 0 0
NHL totals 368 45 61 106 113 24 2 1 3 6
Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Championships
2021 Latvia

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2021 United States WC 10 4 0 4 6
Senior totals 10 4 0 4 6

Awards and honors

Award Year
College
Joe Tomasello Unsung Hero Award 2016 [22]

References

  1. ^ a b Previte, Mike (January 31, 2025). "Merrimack Valley's Blackwell stars for NHL's Stars". Merrimack Valley Life. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  2. ^ "Colin Blackwell Makes NHL Debut With Predators". Valley Jr. Warriors. January 24, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  3. ^ "Longtime BJW Coach, Colin Blackwell, Signs NHL Contract With the Nashville Predators!". Boston Junior Whalers Elite Hockey Club. June 22, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  4. ^ a b "Colin Blackwell is ESPN Boston Mr. Hockey". ESPN. March 29, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  5. ^ "St. John's athletics inducts 10 into Hall of Fame and honors national football All-American". St. John's Prep. October 24, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  6. ^ "Final Rankings – North American Skaters". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  7. ^ Barboza, Scott (June 27, 2011). "Prep's Colin Blackwell drafted by Sharks". ESPN. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  8. ^ "Nine Accomplished Freshmen to Bolster Harvard Men's Hockey Roster". Harvard University. August 9, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  9. ^ a b c d e f "Colin Blackwell – 2015–16 – Men's Ice Hockey". Harvard University. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  10. ^ "One Win Away: No. 19 Harvard Men's Hockey Smothers No. 13 Cornell, 6–1". Harvard University. March 16, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  11. ^ "Harvard Crimson Men's Hockey 2011–2012 Statistics". USCHO. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  12. ^ "Syner Named As Semi-Finalist For Walter Brown Award". University of Massachusetts Athletics. February 15, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  13. ^ Ledecky, Michael D. (May 28, 2015). "Comeback Player of the Year: Blackwell Returns for ECAC Tournament Run". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  14. ^ a b c Pope, Ben (August 20, 2022). "Colin Blackwell's contract with Blackhawks is the latest height in journey from hockey's brink". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  15. ^ "Harvard Crimson Men's Hockey 2012–2013 Statistics". USCHO. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  16. ^ Connolly, John (March 9, 2015). "NU's season crashes hard". Boston Herald. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  17. ^ "Blackwell Scores Twice to Guide No. 19 Men's Hockey Past Brown, 6–2". Harvard University. March 6, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  18. ^ "No. 19 Men's Hockey Completes Series Sweep of Brown, Downs Bears, 4–3". Harvard University. March 7, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  19. ^ "Raiders' Run Ends in ECAC Championship Game". Colgate University Athletics. March 21, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  20. ^ Meagher, Jake (November 6, 2015). "Blackwell's Back: Men's Hockey Star To Play in Both Semesters". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  21. ^ "Overtime Goal Lifts No. 2/1 Quinnipiac to 5–4 Win Over No. 5/4 Men's Hockey at Madison Square Garden". Harvard University. January 9, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  22. ^ a b "Vesey, Blackwell Collect Awards from New England Hockey Writers". Harvard University. April 1, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  23. ^ Kurz, Kevin (September 20, 2016). "Sharks Will Open Training Camp With 64-man Roster". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  24. ^ Nollenberger, Nick (October 3, 2016). "Sharks Reduce Training Camp Roster by 20 Players". San Jose Barracuda. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  25. ^ a b "Colin Blackwell". American Hockey League. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  26. ^ Nollenberger, Nick (November 25, 2016). "Barracuda Earn 4–1 Win on Star Wars Night". San Jose Barracuda. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  27. ^ "Harvard graduate Colin Blackwell impressing Sabres". buffalohockeybeat.com. September 9, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  28. ^ "Amerks sign Colin Blackwell to AHL deal". Rochester Americans. November 2, 2017. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  29. ^ "Predators sign Colin Blackwell to two-year contract". Nashville Predators. July 3, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  30. ^ "Predators assign Blackwell to Milwaukee". Nashville Predators. October 2, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  31. ^ "Predators recall forward Colin Blackwell from Milwaukee". January 19, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  32. ^ "Ekblad, Trochek lead Panthers over Predators". ESPN. January 19, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  33. ^ "Rangers announce six free agent signings". New York Rangers. October 9, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  34. ^ "Seattle Kraken make their picks". Seattle Kraken. July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  35. ^ "Maple Leafs Acquire Giordano And Blackwell In Trade With Seattle". Toronto Maple Leafs. March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  36. ^ "Blackhawks sign Colin Blackwell to two-year, $2.4M deal". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  37. ^ "Athanasiou, Domi, Blackwell, Stalock, Philp and Seney signed". Chicago Blackhawks. July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  38. ^ Carlson, Matt (April 5, 2024). "Blackhawks Forward Colin Blackwell Back, Defenseman Connor Murphy Nears Return". The Hockey News. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  39. ^ Pope, Ben (April 5, 2024). "Colin Blackwell, Blackhawks' Masterton Trophy nominee, feeling ready to return from injury". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  40. ^ "Stars sign Colin Blackwell". Dallas Stars. July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
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