By Warren Kozireski —
Williamsville’s Dennis Gilbert was selected by Chicago with the final pick of the third round (91st overall) at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft in Sunrise, Florida.
“It’s a dream come true to be drafted by any team, but being in Chicago last year and experiencing the city really makes it that much more special right now—I’m just very excited to be a Blackhawk,” Gilbert said moments after being selected.
“The tradition in Chicago is second to none right now in the league and I think the dynasty is only beginning. I think they’re a great organization with a lot of young talent coming up in the AHL and good draft picks, so I think the Blackhawks will be a great team for a while.
Playing for the Chicago Steel this past season, the defenseman had four goals with 23 assists and 89 penalty minutes in 58 games. The Buffalo Jr Sabres product stands 6’2, 195 lb. and will play college hockey at Notre Dame this fall.
“I think college hockey is great developmentally and the competition is second to none in my opinion and it makes the jump (to pro hockey) that much easier because you’re playing against older guys going on 25 years old.
“It’s a great team at Notre Dame, but life after hockey is important to me too. Obviously getting to the NHL is my number one goal, but it does end eventually for every player, so I think that the education I’ll get there and the friendships I’ll make and the community I’ll join will be a big part of my life after hockey.”
Gilbert has already begun his college academic program at Notre Dame taking Calculus and Writing Rhetoric for six weeks through July.
