Former Chicago Blackhawks goalie Colin Delia is taking his career overseas. The Swedish Hockey League (SHL) team Brinas has announced the signing of Delia to a one-year deal for the 2025-26 season.
Delia, 31 years old, played this past season with the Bakersfield Condors, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers. In 28 games, he posted a 12-11-3 record, a .906 save percentage, an average of 2.76 goals against, and two shutouts.
Delia started his professional journey with the Blackhawks, signing a two-year entry-level contract in 2017. Over 56 games with Chicago after three collegiate seasons at Merrimack College in Massachusetts, he had a 21-24-10 record, averaging 2.48 goals against.
Throughout four seasons and 32 games with the Blackhawks, Delia maintained a 9-12-5 record, a .904 save percentage, and a 3.68 goals-against average. His stint with Chicago ended when he inked a one-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks during the 2022 NHL offseason.
In his NHL career spanning five seasons and 52 games, Delia’s stats include a 19-18-7 record, a .897 save percentage, and a 3.51 goals-against average. It will be intriguing to see the influence he can have with Brinas moving forward.
In other news, the Chicago Blackhawks have brought on a new head coach, Jeff Blashill, who has led NHL teams for seven years exclusively with the Detroit Red Wings.
Photo credit: ©Timothy T. Ludwig-Immagn Image
Fan Take: Colin Delia’s move to the SHL marks an exciting chapter for a goalie eager to make a mark abroad, potentially elevating the level of competition in European hockey. For hockey fans, it’s a reminder of the growing international talent exchange, which enriches the sport globally and creates new opportunities for players and fans alike.
