Landon Slaggert Bio
Landon Slaggert is an American professional ice hockey left winger who plays for the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted 79th overall by the Blackhawks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Slaggert developed his game at the University of Notre Dame before transitioning to the professional ranks in 2024. He is recognized for his responsible two-way play, leadership qualities, and steady offensive contributions at every level of his career.
Early Life and Background
Landon Slaggert was born on June 25, 2002, in South Bend, Indiana, where he grew up surrounded by the sport of ice hockey. The city, home to the University of Notre Dame, offered a rich hockey environment that shaped his early interest in the game. He developed his foundational skills in the local youth system, playing with the Chicago Mission from 2015 to 2019, a respected program that has produced numerous collegiate and professional players.
Hockey runs deep in the Slaggert family. His father, Andy Slaggert, serves as an associate head coach for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s ice hockey team, giving Landon direct exposure to high-level coaching and team operations from a young age. He also grew up cheering for the Detroit Red Wings, a team whose identity and tradition helped shape his appreciation for the sport’s history. Two of his brothers, Graham and Carter, also suited up for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s ice hockey program, further underscoring the family’s strong connection to the game.
Path to Hockey
Slaggert joined the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP) from 2018 to 2020, one of the premier pipelines for top American hockey talent. Playing for Team USA in the USNTDP allowed him to compete against the best young players in the country and sharpened his skills against high-level competition on a daily basis. His development with the program was a major factor in his selection by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
Following the draft, Slaggert enrolled at the University of Notre Dame in 2020, joining the Fighting Irish men’s ice hockey team. As a freshman, he appeared in 25 games and tallied 8 goals and 14 assists, earning Notre Dame’s Rookie of the Year honors in 2021. His progression through the college ranks gave him the platform to refine his game before making the jump to professional hockey.
Landon Slaggert Career
Early Career (2020–2024)
Slaggert spent four seasons with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s ice hockey program, developing into a reliable contributor and eventually a team leader. Over the course of his college career, he appeared in 136 games and produced 47 goals and 45 assists, demonstrating consistent offensive output. After a junior season in which he posted 13 points, he rebounded strongly as a senior with a collegiate career-high 31 points and was named team captain for his final year.
On March 10, 2024, Slaggert signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, formally ending his collegiate career and beginning his professional journey. He wasted little time making an impression, debuting in the NHL on March 15, 2024, against the Los Angeles Kings. The transition to the professional ranks marked the culmination of years of development across youth, junior, and collegiate hockey.
Chicago Blackhawks / Rockford IceHogs Era (2024–Present)
Slaggert made an immediate impact following his NHL debut, recording his first two NHL points with a pair of assists against the Calgary Flames on March 27, 2024. Less than three weeks later, on April 11, 2024, he scored his first NHL goal against the St. Louis Blues, a milestone moment in his young career. His early contributions suggested a player capable of contributing at both the AHL and NHL levels.
Operating primarily with the Rockford IceHogs, Slaggert continued to build his professional resume while remaining under contract with the Blackhawks. The arrangement allowed him to gain valuable pro minutes and adjust to the pace and physicality of professional hockey, while remaining within the Blackhawks’ developmental system. His progress positioned him as a forward to watch within the organization’s pipeline.
Playing Style and Strengths
Slaggert is widely regarded as a dependable two-way left winger who brings energy, skating, and responsible play to every shift. His college production reflected an ability to contribute offensively while remaining disciplined in his own end, traits that made him a natural choice for team captaincy at Notre Dame. His background in the USNTDP and a hockey-focused family has given him a mature understanding of the game beyond his years.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Slaggert’s most significant career milestones are his 2020 NHL Draft selection by the Chicago Blackhawks, his NHL debut in March 2024, and his first NHL goal against the St. Louis Blues in April 2024. He also won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2021 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, one of the highest honors in international junior hockey. Being named Notre Dame’s Rookie of the Year in 2021 and serving as team captain in his senior year round out a list of distinctions earned well before his professional career began.
Landon Slaggert Career Wins
Slaggert’s most prominent individual victory came on the international stage, when he helped Team USA capture the gold medal at the 2021 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. While specific game-by-game win totals at the professional level are limited given the early stage of his NHL career, his combination of collegiate, junior, and international accomplishments reflects a winning pedigree. His development within championship-caliber programs has prepared him well for the next phase of his professional journey.
Other Wins & Performances
During his time with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Slaggert was part of a competitive collegiate program that regularly contended in the Big Ten and against top national opponents. His senior-year offensive surge, capped by his captaincy, stands as a key team-level performance that helped anchor the Fighting Irish roster. Additional standout performances included his contributions at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he represented Team USA for a second consecutive year.
Landon Slaggert Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
The Slaggert family has deep roots in the sport of hockey, particularly within the Notre Dame community. Landon’s father, Andy Slaggert, serves as an associate head coach for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s ice hockey team, providing Landon with unparalleled insight into the game’s demands and expectations. His brothers, Graham and Carter Slaggert, both played for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s ice hockey program, making the Slaggert name a recognizable one in South Bend hockey circles.
Personal Life
Landon Slaggert is a native of South Bend, Indiana, the city where he continues to have strong ties given his family’s long association with Notre Dame hockey. He grew up as a fan of the Detroit Red Wings, a fondness that reflects the broader Midwestern hockey culture that helped shape his early years. His close connection to family remains a defining element of his personal and professional life.
2025 Season Performance
Entering 2025, Landon Slaggert remained under contract with the Chicago Blackhawks while continuing his development primarily with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL. The 2025 campaign represented an important opportunity for him to solidify his role within the Blackhawks’ organizational depth chart and demonstrate that his late-2024 NHL debut was a sign of things to come. With his entry-level contract running through 2026, the season carried added importance as he aimed to earn an expanded role at the NHL level.
Slaggert’s progression continued to reflect the steady, two-way profile he displayed throughout his collegiate career, with his mix of skating, hockey sense, and responsibility making him a candidate to push for additional NHL appearances. The Blackhawks’ ongoing rebuild provided a window of opportunity for young forwards like Slaggert to make their case for a more permanent place in the lineup. His combination of junior, collegiate, and international experience positioned him well to take advantage of that opportunity.
Looking ahead within the 2025 season, Slaggert’s outlook centered on continuing to translate his skill set into consistent professional production, whether in Rockford or Chicago. His leadership background, including his senior-year captaincy at Notre Dame, suggested a player prepared to handle an increasing role. The season served as another key step in a career that began in South Bend and has steadily climbed through some of North America’s most respected development pathways.