KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Colorado Eagles, proud AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, have announced that the team has signed forward
Chad Hillebrand to an ATO for the remainder of the 2023-24 season, in addition to a standard AHL contract for the 2024-25 campaign.
Hillebrand ends his career in Kalamazoo having played in 109 total games, totaling 52 points on 17 goals and 35 assists. During his four years on campus, Hillebrand was named to the NCHC Academic All-Conference teams four times and served as an assistant captain during his senior year.
The Park Ridge, Ill. native had a career-best senior season, totaling 26 points on seven goals and 19 assists. Prior to this season, Hillebrand had 26 points in his first three collegiate seasons. Furthermore, he finished the 2023-24 campaign with a +21 rating and led the team with two shorthanded goals.
During the 2023-24 season, the veteran winger had six multi-point games, including a four-assist outing in a win over Bowling Green on Oct. 21. In the first five games of the season, Hillebrand had eight points.
Over his four-year career, Hillebrand and the Broncos won 80 overall games and posted 50 victories in conference play. Furthermore, he helped the program reach three consecutive NCAA Tournaments for the first time in program history. Lastly, Hillebrand played a pivotal role in the program having three straight seasons with more than 20 wins. Prior to the last three seasons, that hadn't happened since 1985-88.
"Western Michigan will forever hold a special place in my heart," Hillebrand said. "These past four years have been the best four years of my life, and it's because of the people here at Western. We got better and better as a team each year, and that's all because of the coaching staff. They have done an amazing job with recruiting and just getting everyone to buy in to the program. It's going to be exciting following the hockey team and to see where coach Ferschweiler can take this team. He has turned this place into a true hockey school, and I am so honored to say that I played hockey at Western Michigan University. Go Broncos!"
