Kirby Dach’s time in Saskatoon, at least as a Blades’ player, is done!

The Chicago Blackhawks confirmed Wednesday that they are keeping their first round pick from this past June beyond the nine-game tipping point…after, either which they would’ve returned him to the Saskatoon Blades or kept him and started the 18-year-old centre earning his full first-year of the three-year entry level contract he signed in early July.

“It’s thrilling and exciting for me,” said Dach after the Hawks made the news official. “It’s something I’ve dreamed of my whole life. I came into camp wanting to make this team and to finally get that recognition from (head coach) Jeremy (Colliton) and the management group is awesome and I’m thrilled to be here.”

Dach was selected third overall by Chicago in June’s N-H-L Draft in Vancouver. After recovering from a rookie camp tournament concussion, the Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta product has played in the last six games with Chicago, scoring once and adding an assist while averaging just short of 12 minutes of ice time per contest.