The Chicago Blackhawks have officially signed their top draft pick, Swedish center Anton Frondell, to a maximum entry-level contract — a major step in securing what many believe to be a cornerstone of the franchise’s future.
But while fans may have expected to see Frondell hit the ice in a Blackhawks jersey this fall, the 18-year-old has made a heartfelt decision that’s taken the hockey world by surprise.
According to a report from Swedish journalist Gunnar Nordström, Frondell will not attend Chicago’s NHL training camp in September. Instead, he has chosen to stay in Sweden and continue playing for Djurgården, the team he’s called home since childhood.
Frondell’s deal with the Blackhawks is a three-year contract worth $975,000 per season — the maximum allowed for an NHL entry-level deal under the current collective bargaining agreement.
It signals just how highly Chicago values the young star, who was taken third overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. But for Frondell, the path to the NHL isn’t just about contracts or draft rankings — it’s about finishing what he started back home.
“I’ve been a Djurgården fan since the day I was born,” Frondell said earlier this year when he signed an extension with the Stockholm-based club. “To wear that jersey and play in front of our fans… that’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid. When I got the offer to stay, there was no hesitation. This club means everything to me.”
This upcoming season, Djurgården will compete in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) after earning promotion from HockeyAllsvenskan — and Frondell is determined to help lead the charge. Last season, he recorded 25 points in 29 regular season games, followed by seven points in 19 playoff contests, helping Djurgården climb back to the top-tier league. His return is expected to be a major boost as the club looks to reclaim its place among Sweden’s elite.
While some Chicago fans may be disappointed that their newest star won’t be skating at training camp this September, the organization appears fully supportive of his development path. Playing a full season in the SHL — widely regarded as one of the strongest leagues outside the NHL — will only sharpen Frondell’s skills before he makes the leap to North America.
Frondell won’t be alone in Djurgården’s lineup either. The team is expected to feature other young talents like Victor Eklund (16th overall pick by the New York Islanders) alongside veterans including Marcus Krüger — a two-time Stanley Cup champion with Chicago — Finnish forward Jesse Ylönen, defenseman Gustav Lindström, and goaltender Magnus Hellberg.
For now, Blackhawks fans will have to be patient. But make no mistake — Anton Frondell is coming. And when he does, he’ll bring with him not just elite talent, but the kind of loyalty, character, and emotional depth that builds legends.
