Gophers Frozen Four hero Justin Holl signs one-year contract with Chicago Blackhawks affiliate

Seth Ambroz, left, and Justin Holl celebrated Holl's game-winning goal in the national semifinal against North Dakota, last April in Philadelphia. ELIZABETH FLORES/Star Tribune
Justin Holl and the Rockford IceHogs (Ill.) agreed to a one-year contract, the AHL member and Chicago Blackhawks' affiliate announced on Monday morning.

The defenseman anchored one of the best defenses in college hockey, last year, and helped guide the Gophers to the Frozen Four and national championship game. He compiled 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) as a senior and 38 points (eight goals, 30 assists) throughout 142 career games.

Holl will be remembered most for the game-winning goal he scored in the final second of last April's national semifinal against rival North Dakota. The 22-year-old from Tonka Bay scored shorthanded with .6 seconds remaining in the third period to advance to the Gophers to their 12th national championship appearance.

Holl was one of five seniors on last year's squad labeled the "FabFive." The self-given title was in reference to the group's four-year commitment to reviving the Gophers hockey program after a brief dry spell from 2007-2011. The seniors were part of three straight regular-season conference championships, a first-time feat for the storied program.

Holl was a second-round draft pick (54th overall) by the Blackhawks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Read more about Holl in the above links.