Today Ken Schott reported that 2009 Blackhawks draft pick Brandon Pirri signed a 3-year entry level deal. Incidentally, if you want to know anything about ECAC hockey, this is the man to read.

This is the second collegiate player to sign with the Hawks this summer, after Nick Leddy signed earlier. Leddy was the first round pick of the Minnesota Wild, and the Hawks got him in the Cam Barker trade last spring.

In Schott's article, Pirri's agent indicates young Brandon will play either with the Hawks or in Rockford. Which means he'll be in Rockford.

Pirri played one season for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. racking up 43 points and 67 penalty minutes in 39 games. He probably benefitted from centering a line that featured Toronto prospect Jerry D'Amigo. D'Amigo also left RPI to sign a pro contract. Probably not a good time to be a fan of RPI hockey.

Anyway, the scouting reports I've read on Pirri (yes, we actually read those from time to time) is that most of his penalty minutes came from being yappy and chippy, rather than any kind of toughness. Which probably figures, since he lists at 5'11, 170. Gotta get that boy to a Waffle House or something. Souting reports also indicate he lacks enthusiasm for going into corners for pucks and playing defense. Two things that, if not addressed, means absolutely no future in Chicago for young Brandon.

Also, if you go back to Draft Day 2009, Pirri openly stated that he purposely entered a lower-level league in order to raise his stock in the draft. Well, whether that was a shit attitude or bad advice, this much is certain: It's all black diamond from here on out. No more time on the bunny hills.

When Pirri gets to Rockford, defenseman Nick Leddy will be there as well. Each player has played his freshman year in college, and now they can see what happens. Leddy missed a lot of his one college season with a broken jaw, but he (and Pirri) impressed enough in the Prospects Camp to get their deals.

Since the Hawks' third defense pair (whichever combination of Jordan Hendry, Nic Boynton and MURDERSAURUS! QStache feels like dressing that night) is all in a pretty transient state, a good season from Leddy in Rockford in 2010-11 means residence in Chicago in 2011-12.