Blackhawks 2025 Late-Round Draft Pick Signs Minor-League Contract

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The Rockford IceHogs announced on Thursday that 20-year-old defenseman Ashton Cumby agreed to a two-year, AHL contract with the club. Cumby, a sixth-round pick (No. 162 overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2025 NHL Draft, spent the past four seasons playing in the Western Hockey League, with the last two coming as a member of the Seattle Thunderbirds.

All things Ashton ‍

We've signed defenseman Ashton Cumby to a two-year AHL contract.

: https://t.co/bfoG8OtI4Jpic.twitter.com/8LjbarXMX7

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) May 28, 2026

Cumby is a physical 6-foot-5, 216-pound left-hand defenseman who’s recorded at least 92 penalty minutes in each of his last three WHL seasons. He’s no stranger to dropping the gloves or throwing his weight around to make his presence felt, and that’s precisely why the Blackhawks selected him. Because of the edge he provides when on the ice.

While interviewing numerous WHL players ahead of the 2025 Draft, GM Kyle Davidson would ask who was the toughest player to face in the league. The answer he received most often? That would be Cumby.

There isn’t much to write home about regarding Cumby’s offensive game, as he tallied just 30 points (6G, 24A) in 127 games over the last two seasons. But in the defensive zone, Cumby plays with a mean streak and knows how to use his size and reach to his advantage. He’s also been regularly utilized as a penalty killer during his time in the WHL.

Going back to last fall, Cumby stuck around in training camp longer than anyone anticipated after looking capable of handling his own at the pro level. He even appeared in two preseason games for the IceHogs, forcing some discussion about whether he’d leave junior hockey to sign an AHL contract. Ultimately, Cumby was returned to the WHL with Seattle, but the writing was on the wall for him to ink a deal with the IceHogs.

Looking ahead to the 2026-27 season, it will be interesting to see how Rockford goes about its blueline with Cumby now in the fold. Taige Harding, Jake Furlong, and Derrick Pouliot, three fellow left-handed defensemen, are all under contract next year. Plus, should Ethan Del Mastro receive a new contract as a restricted free agent this summer, he could also be part of the IceHogs’ defensive corps.

Over parts of five seasons in the WHL, Cumby played for the Thunderbirds (2024-2026), Wenatchee Wild (2023-24), and Winnipeg Ice (2022-2023), tallying 36 points (6G, 30A) in 256 career games.

“We are thrilled with the addition of Ashton for the next two seasons following his junior career”, said IceHogs GM Mark Bernard in a statement on Thursday. “He’s a big, strong defenseman who moves the puck well, and we look forward to him expanding on those skills at the professional level. He’s a young man of high character who has a great work ethic that our fans will love.”

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The post Blackhawks 2025 Late-Round Draft Pick Signs Minor-League Contract appeared first on Chicago Hockey Now.

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