Brandon Saad

Brandon Saad (born on October 27, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey player for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the 2nd round, 43rd overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the [2011 NHL Entry Draft].

Playing Career
On October 4, 2011, the Chicago Blackhawks signed Brandon to a 3-year entry-level contract. It was announced that he would start the season with the Blackhawks, making him at 43rd overall the lowest draft pick to start with the Blackhawks in their draft year since the 2003-04 season.

On October 7, 2011, Brandon made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks on October 7, 2011, versus the Dallas Stars. The Blackhawks reassigned him to his junior club on October 12, 2011. During the week of October 17th to October 23rd, Brandon was named Canadian Hockey League player of the week.

Brandon was named team captain of the Saginaw Spirit for the remainder of the 2011–12 OHL season following the trade of Ryan O'Connor to the Barrie Colts. He finished the 2011–12 OHL season with a league-best 1.73 points-per-game average.

On April 16, 2012, Brandon was recalled to the Blackhawks following the conclusion of his season in the OHL and made his NHL playoff debut on April 19, 2012. On April 21, 2012, Brandon notched his first NHL point on April 21, 2012, with an assist on a goal in a playoff game against the Phoenix Coyotes.

On September 15, 2012, the Blackhawks assigned Saad to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League in anticipation of the 2012–13 NHL lockout.[11] Saad was named CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period of January 7–13, 2013, for earning 6 points in 3 games, including 2 game-winning goals.[12] The Blackhawks named Saad to the starting roster for the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season on January 17, 2013.[13]

On February 5, 2013, Brandon scored his first NHL career goal against Antti Niemi of the San Jose Sharks. On February 22, 2013, Brandon scored a game-winning shorthanded goal against the Sharks to secure an NHL-record 17th straight game with at least one point to start a season for the 2012–13 Blackhawks, breaking the previous record of 16 straight games held by the 2006–07 Anaheim Ducks.

On May 6, 2013, Brandon was named as a finalist for the 2013 Calder Memorial Trophy. On June 24, 2013, Brandon won his first Stanley Cup as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins in six games in the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals.

Personal Life
Brandon was raised in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania and attended Pine-Richland High School. He is of Syrian descent. His older brother George (born on November 14, 1990) plays NCAA hockey with the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Awards & Honors

 * NAHL: First All-Star Team (2008–09)
 * NAHL: Rookie of the Year (2008–09)
 * World U-17 Hockey Challenge: Tournament All-Star Team (2009)
 * USDP: Most Goals/Most Points (2009–10)
 * IIHF World U18 Championships: Gold Medal with Team USA (2010)
 * OHL: First All-Star Team (2011–12)
 * William Hanley Trophy: Most Sportsmanlike Player in the OHL (2011–12)
 * AHL: CCM/AHL Player of the Week (January 7–13, 2013)
 * NHL: All-Rookie Team (2012–13)
 * NHL: Calder Memorial Trophy finalist (2012–13)
 * NHL: Stanley Cup champion (2013)