Frank Nazar

Last updated
Frank Nazar
2025-05-04 Deutschland gegen USA (Eishockey-Landerspiel) by Sandro Halank-036.jpg
Nazar with Team USA in 2025
Born (2004-01-14) January 14, 2004 (age 21)
Mount Clemens, Michigan, U.S.
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb)
Position Center
Shoots Right
NHL team Chicago Blackhawks
National teamFlag of the United States.svg  United States
NHL draft 13th overall, 2022
Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career 2024–present

Frank Nazar III (born January 14, 2004) is an American professional ice hockey center for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 13th overall by the Blackhawks in the 2022 NHL entry draft. He played college hockey at the University of Michigan.

Contents

Playing career

Nazar spent two seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. During the 2021–22 season, he recorded 28 goals and 42 assists in 56 games and ranked third on the team with 70 points. [1] [2] Nazar competed at the 2022 BioSteel All-American Game. [3]

Nazar committed to play college ice hockey for the Michigan Wolverines during the 2022–23 season. [4] In October 2022 it was announced that a lower body injury Nazar sustained in the offseason required surgery, and he would miss the majority of the season. [5] [6] He made his debut for the Wolverines on February 10, 2023, in a game against Michigan State. [7] He finished his freshman season with two goals and five assists in 13 games. During the 2023–24 season, in his sophomore year, he recorded 17 goals and 24 assists in 41 games. His 17 goals ranked fourth among all Michigan players, while his 24 assists ranked fifth on the team. [8]

Nazar was drafted 13th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2022 NHL entry draft. [9] [10] On April 13, 2024, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks. [11] [12] He made his NHL debut on April 14, 2024, in Chicago's final home game of the regular season. [13] He scored his first career NHL goal on his first shot on goal against Pyotr Kochetkov of the Carolina Hurricanes. [14]

International play

2020-01-18 Ice hockey at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics - Men's tournament - Preliminary round - USA vs. Finland (Frank Nazar III) 068 (1).jpg
Nazar at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics
Medal record
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2025 Sweden/Denmark
World Junior Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2024 Sweden
World U18 Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2022 Germany

Nazar represented the United States at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics, where he recorded three goals and two assists in four games and won a silver medal. [15]

Nazar represented the United States at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded three goals and six assists in six games and won a silver medal. [16]

On December 16, 2023, Nazar was named to the United States' roster to compete at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. [17] During the tournament he recorded eight assists in seven games and won a gold medal. [18]

Nazar made his senior national team debut or the United States at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where he led the team in scoring with six goals and six assists in ten games and helped Team USA win their first gold medal since 1933. [19]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2020–21 U.S. National Development Team USHL 4528275520—————
2021–22 U.S. National Development TeamUSHL5628427020—————
2022–23 University of Michigan B1G 132570—————
2023–24 University of MichiganB1G4117244118—————
2023–24 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 31010—————
2024–25 Rockford IceHogs AHL 211113248—————
2024–25 Chicago BlackhawksNHL5312142624—————
NHL totals5613142724—————

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2022 United States U18 Silver medal icon.svg63694
2024 United States WJC Gold medal icon.svg70882
2025 United States WC Gold medal icon.svg1066126
Junior totals13314176
Senior totals1066126

References

  1. ↑ Morreale, Mike G. (March 18, 2022). "Nazar's natural skating ability raises profile as 2022 NHL Draft prospect". NHL.com. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  2. ↑ Morreale, Mike G. (June 13, 2022). "2022 NHL Draft: Top 10 centers". NHL.com. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  3. ↑ Morreale, Mike G. (December 26, 2021). "2022 BioSteel All-American Game rosters selected". NHL.com. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  4. ↑ St. James, Helene (June 13, 2022). "Why drafting Frank Nazar III may be the best option for Detroit Red Wings at No. 8". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  5. ↑ Powers, Scott (October 18, 2022). "Blackhawks' first-round pick Frank Nazar to have surgery, miss significant time". The Athletic . Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  6. ↑ Earegood, Connor (October 18, 2022). "Frank Nazar III out indefinitely with lower body injury". The Michigan Daily . Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  7. ↑ Zuniga, Alejandro (February 10, 2023). "Frank Nazar, first-round NHL Draft pick of the Blackhawks, to make his Michigan hockey debut". 247sports.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  8. ↑ Powers, Scott (April 13, 2024). "Frank Nazar leaving Michigan early, signing with Blackhawks". The Athletic . Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  9. ↑ Pope, Ben (July 7, 2022). "Blackhawks select Kevin Korchinski, Frank Nazar, Sam Rinzel with first-round picks". Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  10. ↑ McNeil, Kristy (July 7, 2022). "Nazar, McGroarty Selected Back-to-Back in First Round of NHL Draft". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive . Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  11. ↑ "RELEASE: Blackhawks Agree to Terms with Nazar on Three-Year Contract". NHL.com. April 13, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  12. ↑ Pope, Ben (April 13, 2024). "Blackhawks sign top prospect Frank Nazar, who will join team immediately". Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  13. ↑ Thompson, Phil (April 14, 2024). "Frank Nazar makes his Chicago Blackhawks debut — and first NHL goal — in Sunday's home finale". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Frank Nazar scores on first attempt in NHL debut with Blackhawks". ESPN.com . April 14, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  15. ↑ Scheder-Bieschin, Gabrielle (January 22, 2020). "Men's Ice Hockey Team Secures Silver At Youth Olympic Games". teamusa.org. Archived from the original on March 17, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  16. ↑ McNeil, Kristy (April 21, 2022). "Six Incoming Wolverines to Compete at U18 World Championships". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive . Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  17. ↑ Morreale, Mike G. (December 16, 2023). "Gauthier leads United States 2024 World Junior roster". NHL.com. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  18. ↑ Carlson, Matt (January 5, 2024). "Four Blackhawks Prospects Win WJC Gold With Team USA". The Hockey News . Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  19. ↑ Zaccardi, Nick (May 25, 2025). "U.S. men's hockey team wins first standalone world championship since 1933". NBC Sports . Retrieved May 25, 2025.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Chicago Blackhawks first round draft pick
2022 		Succeeded by
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