The Blackhawks are finally coming out of their transition phase where the investments they have made from a couple of poor seasons are finally beginning to pay dividends. Premier prospects such as Nicolas Beaudin, Adam Boqvist and Ian Mitchell are just a few players who have been in the system that are on the fringe of professional hockey careers. Beaudin and Boqvist will be traveling between Rockford and Chicago as they begin their careers with the Hawks, while Mitchell will be playing his junior year with the Denver Pioneers. Mitchell could join the Blackhawks once his season is done in college.

With that being said, let’s start catching up on this year’s Blackhawks NCAA prospects.

Evan Barratt will play at Penn State this season. (Photograph courtesy of the NHL)

Evan Barratt, Forward — Penn State University (32 games played, 16 goals, 27 assists)

Barratt was one of the top-performing Blackhawks college prospects last season when he broke out for 43 points. Centering Liam Folks and Alex Limoges, the trio combined for 57 goals and 78 assists and all finished in the top 20 in scoring among NCAA skaters. This season, that same line will look to continue to pick up where they left off last season. Barratt not only brings a plethora of scoring ability, but he also plays with an edge. His versatility adds depth to a high-flying Penn State group that is ready to build on their success as a program.

Unfortunately for Blackhawks fans, Barratt did not participate in on-ice drills at prospect camp over the summer because he was recovering from a hip surgery, but he is planning to be ready for Penn State’s series against Sacred Heart.

Barratt got a taste of success in last year’s World Junior Championship and in the 2018 Frozen Four tournament. It would be great to see Penn State get to the Frozen Four this year in Detroit. Barratt has already shown he can put the points up; it would be great to see he and Penn State shine on the big stage.

Evan Barratt is 100 percent, Gadowsky said. Said there's been a visible difference in his skating.

— David Eckert (@davideckert98) October 1, 2019

Josh Ess will be a key part of Wisconsin’s blue line in 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of the University of Wisconsin)

Josh Ess, Defenseman — University of Wisconsin (37 games played, five goals, eight assists)

The Wisconsin Badgers have had a couple of down years, but they are looking to change that trend this season. With the addition of top prospects Cole Caufield and Alex Turcotte, Wisconsin could have the offensive firepower to push them to the top of the Big Ten conference. In the preseason rankings, USCHO.com has the Badgers ranked 16th in the country behind Notre Dame, Ohio State and Penn State.

Entering his junior year, Josh Ess will play a big role on the Badgers’ blue line as an upperclassmen with experience in Tony Granato’s system. The Big Ten is not an easy conference to come out of, especially when you are playing heavy teams like Notre Dame and Ohio State, and, not to mention, speedy teams like Penn State can hurt you in other ways.

Ess was not exactly a standout at prospect camp, but that is also really not his game. He did make some good, hard tape-to-tape passes out of his end and his positioning looked a bit more polished than some of the younger guys. He is more of a team guy that is doing a great job if he can eat minutes responsibly and keep the puck out of the net. Look for Ess to have success in those departments this year.

Wisconsin’s Josh Ess#Blackhawks #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/CYFxO5Gaev

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 15, 2019

Parker Foo will return to Union College for 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of The Athletic)

Parker Foo, Forward — Union College (35 games played, five goals, 10 assists)

Union had a fantastic season, finishing 20–13–6, but was defeated by the Cornell Big Red in the ECAC conference tournament quarterfinals. The Dutchmen will be returning three of their five players who had double-digit goals last season and look to build on their success from 2018–19.

Foo has a lot of speed and quickness to the puck and hopefully he will get more quality minutes at Union entering his junior year. The Blackhawks’ fifth-round pick of 2017 adds some depth to the prospect pool, but he needs to develop a bit more in college. The ECAC should provide some tough competition and hopefully Foo gets some power play time to show he can produce at a high level.

Ian Mitchell will captain the Pioneers in 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of Denver University)

Ian Mitchell, Defenseman — Denver University (39 games played, six goals, 21 assists)

Of all the NCAA prospects in the Blackhawks system, Mitchell is probably the most developed at this point. After two seasons with Denver, Mitchell has embraced the “Pioneer Way” and become the team’s new captain. This should not come as a surprise given Mitchell’s work ethic. Over the summer, many Blackhawks fans were hoping that he would leave college and sign a pro deal, but Mitchell decided to not rush his development. Once upon a time, Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews told the team the same thing and he worked out to be pretty good.

The Pioneers are coming off their third Frozen Four appearance in four years and this year should not have any different expectations. Denver will start the season as one of the nation’s top teams in one of the hardest divisions in college hockey, the NCHC.

Mitchell brought a lot of raw skill his first couple seasons, but it is pretty clear he wants to take his game to the next level. At prospect camp, Mitchell told Adam Burish in an interview that he is setting the bar high for himself this season. He first wants to win a NCAA championship, but he is also wanting to show he is one of the best players in college hockey with a nomination for the Hobey Baker Award. Do not be shocked if you see Mitchell in a Blackhawks uniform later this season.

Ian Mitchell has been named captain for the 2019-20 season. Tyson McLellan and Michael Davies will serve as alternates https://t.co/uISAMwrO2r | #PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/sZ59tvq0SR

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) May 17, 2019

Ryan Shea will return to Northeastern to captain the Huskies in 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of hockeyjournal.com)

Ryan Shea, Defenseman — Northeastern University (39 games played, three goals, 13 assists)

Through his first three years in college hockey, Ryan Shea has probably been the most stable defenseman for the Northeastern Huskies. He is not the flashiest player on the ice, but he gets his job done. With a career-high plus-minus rating of plus-23 last season, Shea has proven he can play in all situations and can make the right play when called upon. Those are both reasons why Shea’s teammates voted him team captain for the 2019–20 season. Northeastern is set to be a threat again in the Hockey East Conference, but competition will be elevated, as Boston College and Boston University have retooled after down seasons.

We’ve had some great leaders at Northeastern over the years, and we expect to add more names to the list.

Your 2019-20 #HowlinHuskies captains:

C: Ryan Shea
A: Matt Filipe
A: John Picking
A: Zach Solow pic.twitter.com/cTpwUrCWs3

— Northeastern Men’s Hockey (@GoNUmhockey) April 18, 2019

Josiah Slavin heads to Colorado College after spending three seasons in the USHL. (Photograph courtesy of Colorado College)

Josiah Slavin, Forward — Colorado College (USHL:  59 games played, 24 goals, 23 assists)

One of the most exciting college prospects this year is 2018 seventh-round selection Josiah Slavin.  At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Slavin skates pretty well and has a natural touch for playmaking. We saw him score a hat trick for Team Red at prospect camp this summer, where he stood out among his peers.

Slavin will begin his NCAA career in Colorado Springs playing for the Colorado College Tigers. As one of the younger teams in the NCHC, the Tigers are on the rise with several talented freshmen coming in. Head coach Mike Haviland will most likely love using Slavin for big minutes, including power play time. College hockey analyst Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald has the Tigers ranked 17th in the country, noting they could be a surprise team out of the NCHC this year.

Michal Teply sends a 100-foot feed to Josiah Slavin for the regulation game winner with 6.9 seconds left on the clock. #Blackhawks prospects wrapping with a shootout now just for fun. pic.twitter.com/1LbkSL9vxX

— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) July 19, 2019

Alex Vlasic will join Boston University for 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of the NHL)

Alex Vlasic, Defenseman — Boston University (27 games played, two goals, 13 assists)

For the first time in a few years, the Blackhawks finally selected a defenseman with some size when they took Vlasic 43rd overall in the 2019 draft. The Wilmette, Illinois, native spent his junior career with the U.S. National Team Development Program playing alongside Cole Caufield, Jack Hughes, Alex Turcotte, Trevor Zegras and other top US-born prospects.

Vlasic brings a lot to the table besides his size. He has great reach and seems to love jumping into the play despite being a bigger defenseman. Boston University has developed some pretty good defensemen over the years and hopefully they can turn things around after a couple bad seasons.

Alex Vlasic has been showing off his speed with his size (6'6) at #Blackhawks development camp: https://t.co/38QWcVMcsK pic.twitter.com/yUksZ0CPlf

— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) July 19, 2019

Photo courtesy of goterriers.com

Jake Wise, Forward — Boston University (12 games played, zero goals, two assists)

Although injuries kept Wise out most of the season last year, he is still seen as one of the Blackhawks’ top prospects. But, with Kirby Dach and Evan Barratt now rising to the top of the system, Wise has some ground to make up. The Terriers lost a few players to the NHL, so hopefully Wise is given some opportunities to shine somewhere in the top nine.

The last young playmaking center the Blackhawks developed was North Dakota’s Nick Schmaltz, who did not end up working out in Chicago. Schmaltz had great patience with the puck and featured excellent vision. Schmaltz did produce more than 50 points in his second season, but he struggled mightily in the face off circle. If Wise, who is similar in size, wants a shot at an NHL roster, he will have to show he can play a two-way game, as the top-six center slots will likely be filled by Jonathan Toews and Dylan Strome for the foreseeable future.

Boston’s Jake Wise #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/5Zv8dC7Mp0

— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) July 15, 2019

The post Get to know your 2019–20 Blackhawks NCAA prospects appeared first on The Rink.

Parts of the series

Introduction

Tiers one and two

Tier three

Tier four

Tier five

Tier six

Complete tier listings with our panel’s original average tier ratings (* represents a unanimous rating from the panel)

Tier one

Adam Boqvist (1*)
Kirby Dach (1*)

Tier two

Ian Mitchell (1.833)
Nicolas Beaudin (2.333)

Tier three

Alex Vlasic (2.833)
Alex Nylander (3)
Dominik Kubalik (3.167)
Philipp Kurashev (3.167)
Chad Krys (3.333)
Jake Wise (3.5)
Alexis Gravel (4)

Tier four

Evan Barratt (3.5)
MacKenzie Entwistle (3.667)
Aleksi Saarela (3.833)
Josiah Slavin (3.833)
Dennis Gilbert (4)
Matthew Highmore (4)
Kevin Lankinen (4)
Niklas Nordgren (4)
John Quenneville (4*)
Michal Teply (4)
Lucas Carlsson (4.167)
Tim Soderlund (4.167)
Alexandre Fortin (4.333)

Tier five

Brandon Hagel (4.333)
Antti Saarela (4.333)
Dominic Basse (4.5)
Artur Kayumov (4.5)
Josh Ess (4.667)
Jakub Galvas (4.833)
Mikael Hakkarainen (4.833)
Reese Johnson (4.833)
Cole Moberg (4.833)
Andrei Altybarmakyan (5.167)
Ivan Nalimov (5.167)
Joni Tuulola (5.167)

Tier six

Mathias From (5.333)
Roope Laavainen (5.333)
Ryan Shea (5.333)
Parker Foo (5.5)
Jake Ryczek (5.5)
Nathan Noel (5.667)
Graham Knott (5.833)

Note: Our panel discovered at a later date Jack Ramsey had been omitted from the series and agreed Ramsey falls into tier six.

The post RECAP: The-Rink’s Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers appeared first on The Rink.

Our series continues today with tier three, defined as a prospect seen as a middle six forward, second pairing defenseman or backup goalie.

As explained in the introduction piece, each eligible prospect in the system was rated by our staff panel before ultimately being debated to agree on a tier. Each prospect’s original rating average is listed in parentheses after their name, along with a brief synopsis of why they fell in the tier they did.

Players are listed in order of original rating average, with any ties being sorted alphabetically by last name.

Alex Vlasic (2.833)

The cousin of San Jose’s Marc-Edouard Vlasic, the Wilmette, Illinois, native was selected by his hometown team in the second round this June. Vlasic boasts a massive frame for someone his age being listed at 6-foot-6 and 198 pounds. Vlasic has shown an ability to use his size to his advantage, especially in terms of breaking up plays with his reach and blocking shots. As part of the high powered US National Team Development Program over the past two years, Vlasic was relied on more so as a defensive defenseman. However, the big blue liner does have the ability to chip in from the back end thanks to his good vision and slap shot. Vlasic will head to Boston University to join the Terriers, where he will likely spend at least a couple of years before turning pro. Vlasic, who some considered to be a bit of a steal at the draft, could slot into Chicago’s top four in the future if he can develop into a bonafide shutdown defenseman. While he has a bigger frame than former Blackhawk Niklas Hjalmarsson, Vlasic could be the long awaited replacement for the three-time Stanley Cup champion.

The Blackhawks selected Wilmette, Illinois, native Alex Vlasic in the second round in 2019. Vlasic will play at Boston University in 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of Hickling Images)

Alex Nylander (3)

Nylander, who is the brother of William Nylander of Toronto and son of former Blackhawk Michael Nylander, was acquired by Chicago earlier this summer from Buffalo in exchange for 2017 first round pick Henri Jokiharju. Alex was the eighth overall selection in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and has spent the majority of his time since then playing for the Rochester Americans in the AHL. The Calgary-born Swede possesses an undeniable amount of offensive skill and flair, but has been surrounded with questions about his intensity and desire. Nylander joins a growing list of recent reclamation projects for Stan Bowman, who hopes the Nylander experiment will turn out more like Dylan Strome than David Rundblad. Nylander’s style is clearly suited for a top six role, but, if he is unable to put his game together, could end up being more like Dylan Sikura has been recently in not quite being able to handle the top six load but also not fitting in as a bottom six player. Though the Blackhawks have a wealth of young talent on the back end, Nylander will need to prove his services were worth jettisoning Jokiharju, who seems primed for a lengthy career as a top four NHL defenseman.

Chicago acquired Alex Nylander from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Henri Jokiharju this summer. (Photograph courtesy of the NHL)

Dominik Kubalik (3.167)

Kubalik joins Chicago’s organization for 2019–20 after being acquired in January from Los Angeles in exchange for a fifth round pick. Originally a 2013 seventh round pick of the Kings, Kubalik tore up the Swiss National League in 2018–19, leading the league with 57 points in 50 games. The Czech Republic native will look to translate his production to North America, where he has not played since 2013–14 in the Ontario Hockey League. Kubalik has been a mainstay on Czech teams at international tournaments, including representing his country in the 2018 Winter Olympics. The 6-foot-2, 179-pound winger also enjoyed a breakout showing at the 2019 World Championships, scoring six goals and adding six assists in 10 games. Kubalik, who is on a one year contract with the Blackhawks, is expected to be in Chicago’s lineup this season. While he could become a standout player if he is able to produce as he did in Switzerland, Kubalik will likely be more along the lines of this year’s Dominik Kahun if he pans out, being someone who can play up and down the lineup and contribute offensively in a supporting role.

Dominik Kubalik will make his North American professional debut in 2019–20 after dominating the Swiss National League in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of Getty Images)

Philipp Kurashev (3.167)

Kurashev has been a pleasant surprise thus far in his development, quickly rising up the ranks in Chicago’s system. The Blackhawks drafted Kurashev in the fourth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and the Switzerland native has since done nothing but impress regardless of the level of play. In 59 games for the Quebec Remparts, he scored 29 goals and added 36 helpers for career best marks in both goals and points in his junior career. Kurashev particularly stood out on the international stage, with the World Junior Championships highlighting his showings for his country. A regular for Swiss national teams, Kurashev lit it up to lead the tournament with six goals in seven games and finished with seven points. Following his junior season coming to a close, Kurashev made the jump to Rockford, where he played three games for the IceHogs. Kurashev is expected to return to Rockford’s lineup for 2019–20, where he will likely be among the team’s go-to offensive weapons. Though Kurashev has not yet proven himself professionally, his development is trending in the right direction and it appears he could have a successful middle six role in the NHL down the road.

Philipp Kurashev will play in his first full professional season in 2019–20 after finishing last season with the Rockford IceHogs. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Chad Krys (3.333)

Like a couple of other players already covered in the series, Krys may be a player who would best be suited by moving to another organization. The offensive defenseman was once at the top of Chicago’s blue line prospects, but has since dropped down the list with the drafting of other high end defensemen who excel offensively. Drafted in the second round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Krys spent three seasons playing at Boston University to continue his development. In his time as a Terrier, the Connecticut native posted 58 points in 105 games, including 20 points in 30 games last season as an alternate captain. Upon finishing his collegiate season, Krys signed with the Blackhawks and joined the Rockford IceHogs, playing nine games while tallying four assists. The 5-foot-11, 185 pound defender boasts strong skating and passing abilities, but would likely need to be paired with a reliable partner at the NHL level to cover for his defensive deficiencies. The majority of our panel believes Krys will become an everyday NHL player, but, as mentioned previously, his path would likely be easier in another organization. Krys will return to Rockford for the 2019–20 season on a stacked IceHogs blue line.

Chad Krys joined the IceHogs late in the 2018–19 season after spending three years at Boston University. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Jake Wise (3.5)

Wise is among the Blackhawks’ most intriguing forward prospects both because of his skill but also because of a seeming mystique around him. The Naples, Florida, native has missed time with injuries in each of his last two seasons—2017–18 with the US National Team Development Program and 2018–19 at Boston University—which has prevented him from showing what he is capable of when at full health. Once considered a potential first round pick option in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Chicago scooped up Wise in the third round. Wise is hard to miss on the ice for that reason: He is good at making defenders miss. He uses his speed and high end stickhandling to elude defenders in tight spaces. Additionally, Wise is responsible defensively, which will help his cause as he moves up the ranks. While our panel was a bit mixed on Wise, his talent is undeniable, and, if he can stay healthy and progress in his development, could turn into a draft day steal in a middle six type of role in the future. The 5-foot-10 centerman will return to the Terriers for 2019–20.

Jake Wise will return to Boston University for 2019–20 looking to put together a full season after playing just 12 games last year. (Photograph courtesy of Boston University Athletics)

Alexis Gravel (4)

Gravel’s initial vote rating indicates a spot in the fourth tier, but upon reconsidering our tiers in terms of goaltenders, our panel decided Gravel was better suited for tier three, as the group believes Gravel will be in NHL blue paint in the future. Once considered a top goaltending prospect for the 2018 draft class, the Blackhawks snagged the German native in the sixth round after a somewhat disappointing 2017–18 season with the Halifax Mooseheads. However, Gravel has done nothing but impress since being drafted, putting together a breakout 2018–19 campaign with Halifax, posting a goals against average of 2.49 and save percentage of .913, both of which were career best marks. Gravel then upped his game in the postseason, recording a .917 save percentage in 23 games, guiding his squad to second place finishes in both the QMJHL’s President’s Cup and the Memorial Cup. Boasting massive size in the goal at 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds, Gravel is still quick and tracks pucks well in addition to being technically sound. Though still relatively early in his progression, Gravel looks as though he could be among the better goaltenders the Blackhawks have drafted and developed in the 21st century. The right handed netminder will return to the Mooseheads in 2019–20.

Alexis Gravel will return to the Halifax Mooseheads for the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of Vincent Ethier/CHL Images)

Stay tuned as The-Rink progresses up the ladder in its Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers.

The post The-Rink’s Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers, part four appeared first on The Rink.

Once the NCAA season officially kicks off this fall, we will get back to posting weekly roundups on our blog and on twitter recapping production and progress from all the Hawks’ NCAA players.  But right now, we wanted to rank the top five players at the collegiate level.  There is a good mix of lower and upperclassmen playing in several conferences of college hockey this year so it should be a blast.

Let’s get started.

Chicago Blackhawks’ Top Five NCAA Prospects

5.  Jake Wise – Forward, Boston University

I didn’t plan on having Wise crack this list, but his prospect camp performance and upside made it a tough decision.  Drafted this year in the third round, Wise is coming off a couple seasons playing in the US National Development program.  He will be attending Boston University this fall, joining a hockey program that has been dominant in years past.

Wise’s numbers show he’s a play-making center and he put that on display this summer at prospect camp.  His speed and hands were the topic of conversation over the summer earning him a reputation of potentially being the Blackhawks’ “steal of the draft.”  Wise will be spending his weekends playing tough opponents such as the Northeastern Huskies and the Boston College Eagles, but hopefully fellow Blackhawks prospect and junior at BU Chad Krys can help him ease into the transition.  Wise will also be surrounded by a great forward group featuring Bobo Carpenter, Shane Bowers, and Patrick Harper.

4.  Fredrik Olofsson – Forward, University of Nebraska-Omaha

Although Olofsson’s numbers don’t blow you out of the water, he was one of the most polished players that I got to see play last year.  Qualities like speed and size stick out immediately to the naked eye of a spectator, but hockey sense is blaring to those who watch a lot of hockey.  Olofsson showed a lot of maturity and poise last season, and could be on the verge of a breakout season.

The Broomfield Colorado-native could have signed pro but decided to go back to college for his senior year.  The Mavericks will be much improved from last season when they went 17-17-2, and they could turn the tide on other powerhouses in the NCHC like Minnesota-Duluth and the University of Denver.  Now that he is more familiar playing the center position, this season is huge for Olofsson to prove he’s worthy of a pro contract, and the Hawks could really use a player like Freddy.

3.  Evan Barratt – Forward, Penn State University

Evan Barratt may be one of the most exciting Blackhawks prospects to watch this season.  Adding 18 points in 32 games, Barratt had a solid season for a freshman and really started to thrive in the Nittany Lion’s system towards the end of the season.  His frame and size resemble a former Blackhawk that show an intriguing comparison;  Dave Bolland.  Bolland was an absolute pain in the rear to play against but he also had great skill.  Not to mention his goals were as scrappy as they come.  If Barratt can continue to score and be scrappy, he may find his niche to get his ticket to Chicago someday.

Penn State and their run-and-gun style of play should take a huge step this season and Barratt could be at the forefront of that.  The Big Ten is set to be a difficult conference again this fall, but don’t look past what kind of noise Penn State could make.  If Barratt can find his was past the 30-35 point mark with some extra ice time this season, he could really show some serious positive strides.

2.  Chad Krys – Defenseman, Boston University

The is no doubt defenseman Chad Krys has skill, but the question is where he fits into the Blackhawks future plans on the blue line.  In a system that was once dried up of defensive prospects, it now may rank in the top ten NHL-wide.  Krys has the competition of several prospects at the AHL level above him, and top draft picks below him in the junior ranks.  Of course all he will say is that he needs to focus on himself, but we all know his season will have to do the talking for him.

The Blackhawks want to see more physicality and ability to retrieve pucks and exit cleanly from Krys.  It’s no secret he can skate better than most that he’s on the ice with, but this season will be a focus on his ability to keep pucks out of the net.  The next year or two will most likely have a few prospects on the move to make roster spots and Krys will have to do his best to show he’s worth the wait.

1.  Ian Mitchell – Defenseman, The University of Denver

Defenseman Ian Mitchell is becoming one of the most decorated Blackhawks prospects when it comes to his hockey resume.  Last season, he was one of the nation’s top defenseman and made the all-freshman team for the NCHC conference.  The Denver Pioneers were just one win away from another Frozen Four appearance but they fell to the Ohio State Buckeyes.  Mitchell finished the season with two goals and 28 assists.

This summer, Mitchell has been training hard for the 2018-19 season and his work is showing.  He impressed at Blackhawks prospect camp this summer and then played in the World Juniors showcase for Team Canada in Kamloops British Columbia alongside 2018 1st round pick Nicolas Beadin.  There is a very strong possibility Mitchell could sign with the Blackhawks after his sophomore season, but it’s safe to say his development is right on track.

The post Ranking the Chicago Blackhawks’ Top Five NCAA Prospects appeared first on The Rink.

The two practice sessions reverted back to the style of those on Monday and Tuesday with all of the players on the same sheet of ice and closely resembled the format of the early practices as well: beginning with a light warm-up, followed by some skating drills, largely focusing on intricacies of skating technique, as the drills were sometimes a bit awkward, then transitioning into various drills including one-on-one physical battles and puck protection. Some more team-oriented type of drills followed, usually in the form of two-on-twos or a transition/regroup type of drill. The sessions were wrapped up with a structured full-length transition mini-game. Film from the mini-game can be viewed on Twitter, with Group A visible here and Group B visible here.

Friday will wrap up this year’s prospect camp, and the fans will be treated to a scrimmage, the first full-ice five-on-five action of the week. The scrimmage should serve as a good method to see the players’ skills in a real game situation.

Below are some observations Jeff Osborn and I made during today’s sessions:

• Frederik Olofsson had a better day today. He looked more confident and had some really nice shots throughout the skate.
• Jake Wise continued to impress. He has clearly worked hard and his skills continue to stand out. Needless to say, he has been a very pleasant surprise. It should be fun to see what he can do in Friday’s scrimmage.
• Josiah Slavin continued his display of high-end shooting. While he is still a long way from being an NHL player, there is no denying he can really shoot the puck.
• Alexandre Fortin had another good day, exuding confidence and polish throughout the session. He has been one of the most noticeable forwards in the camp.
• Adam Boqvist and Nicolas Beaudin displayed a glimpse of their high-end puck-moving abilities during a warm-up passing drill. The pair of 2018 first rounders partnered up in the drill and showcased their passing skills, rapidly firing one-touch passes to each other flawlessly for the duration of the drill.
• Boqvist also showed off his defensive ability a bit today in some drills. He had a very active stick and did a very good job knocking pucks off of opponents’ sticks.
• Tim Soderlund again showed good intensity throughout the skate. He has worked hard and has had a nice jump in his step throughout the week.
• John Dahlstrom continued to show his ability to be a pain to play against. He has shown an ability to use his body to cause havoc for opposing players, similar to Andrew Shaw in some ways.
• Chad Krys had a highlight-reel assist during one of today’s drills. Krys served as the point man in the drill and upon cue, rifled a perfect shot-pass to a wide open teammate on the back door for a tap-in. The play received praise from the coaches and other players on the ice and was another example of Krys’s confidence on display.
• Ian Mitchell continued to show off his wicked wrist shot. On a couple of occasions throughout the day, Mitchell cleanly beat goaltenders with perfectly placed lasers. Mitchell also had a really nice goal in the post-practice impromptu shootout, totally undressing goaltender Alexis Gravel in the process.
• Niklas Nordgren did not skate today. Nordgren has not taken the ice since Monday. Still no word on his status.

Check out photos from the week here:

The post Blackhawks Prospect Camp: Day 4 appeared first on The Rink.

The Blackhawks opted for a new practice format to focus more heavily on positional skills. The group rotation continued, with Group A skating first, followed by Group B.

Since MB Ice Arena has two sheets of ice, the Blackhawks took advantage of the space. The practices were largely split into separate practices for the forwards and defensemen, with the goaltenders splitting time on each side. At the conclusion of the ice time for each group, the players were joined for a three-on-three mini scrimmage, the first full-ice competition of the camp.

Below are some observations Jeff Osborn and I made during today’s skates:

• Ian Mitchell used his stick exceptionally well again today during the defense group drills. Throughout the week, Mitchell has shown the ability to have his stick pressuring the attacking player almost as soon as the player receives the puck. His gaps have been excellent. Additionally, during his group’s three-on-three mini scrimmage, Mitchell scored on a wicked, top-shelf wrist shot.
• Adam Boqvist showed good quickness during a breakout drill in the defense group practice. He used his skating ability to wait a split second longer behind the net to bait the attacking player. Boqvist was able to identify the open teammate and get the puck to them quickly.
• Chad Krys again showed good intensity and composure today. After a rough Monday, he seems to be settled in and is playing with much more confidence.
• John Dahlstrom and Alexis Gravel had a bit of a feud taking place during their practice. At one point in a drill, Dahlstrom took a hack at Gravel in an attempt to get a rebound opportunity. Gravel took exception and stared Dahlstrom down afterward. The two yapped at each other throughout the rest of the practice.
• Wouter Peeters continues to be an enigma. His play has left a lot to be desired and he seems to lack confidence. Jeff determined the best word to describe Peeters is “clunky.”
• Josiah Slavin again impressed with his shot. He has shown to have heavy and accurate wrist shots and snapshots. While he could greatly benefit from adding some muscle, there is no denying he has a great shot and knows how to use it.
• Jake Wise displayed his shooting talent today, regularly beating goaltenders clean during drills. Wise also had a nifty goal during his group’s three-on-three mini scrimmage, stick handling around a defender and then beating the goaltender.
• Jake McLaughlin, a 6’2”, 185-pound defenseman from UMass and a Hinsdale, Illinois, native, joined the camp today with Group B. McLaughlin donned a number 96 white jersey. He registered three goals and 10 assists last season as a sophomore in 39 games to go along with 28 penalty minutes and a –4 rating. Two of McLaughlin’s three tallies came on the man advantage.
• Niklas Nordgren again did not skate today, nor did Blake Hillman and Jack Ramsey. No word on their statuses.

Check out photos from the week here:

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As the Blackhawks normally do, Groups A and B switched ice slots today, with Group B skating at 1 p.m. and Group A skating at 3 p.m. Both ice slots consisted of more drills and small-area games, similar to the opening day, though all of the drills and games were slightly different.

With a second day of skating, some players added to their strong Monday performances, while others made progress.

Below are some observations Jeff Osborn and I made during Tuesday’s session:

• Jake Wise impressed yet again. He was very quick, both in his actions and decisions, and was intense and assertive. Wise has worked his tail off and it shows. He has been one of, if not the most noticeable player in the camp in my book. It seems he is playing with a chip on his shoulder, wanting to prove 30 teams wrong for not taking him sooner in the draft and showing he was deserving of being selected earlier. The early returns appear he is a steal for the Blackhawks, though it is obviously very early.
• Alexandre Fortin played with confidence. As Jeff mentioned yesterday, he seems to have regained his step and is playing with more swagger and assertiveness. I was impressed with his puck protection ability, as he regularly showed he was capable of blocking defenders’ sticks with his body and legs.
• Adam Boqvist again looked good, especially in terms of his skating and his stick, both offensively and defensively. In some one-on-ones and two-on-twos, Boqvist used his high-end skating to cover ice and keep forwards to the outside. Boqvist showed off his stick handling ability in a tight-area stick handling game, making a few nice moves around the player trying to knock the puck off his stick. When it was Boqvist’s turn to be the antagonist, he did a good job poking pucks off of sticks. He still has a long way to go physically, but his skill level is undeniable.
• Chad Krys had a much more positive day Tuesday. He almost appeared to be a bit too loose Monday, as he regularly lost the handle on the puck while stick handling and did not appear to play with much intensity. Tuesday, however, was significantly more promising. Krys was dialed in and it showed. He looked way more confident and composed than he did yesterday. One area during drills that stood out to me was his passing ability. In a long-range one-touch passing drill, Krys was making hard, crisp, tape-to-tape passes half the length of the ice.
• Philipp Kurashev was decent Monday and improved on day two. His skating ability was evident, as he was able to change direction well. He also made some nice plays with the puck in the small-area games. He has competed well and has not been hesitant to use his body to his advantage in puck retrieval and protection.
• Nicolas Beaudin was overshadowed during the first day by Boqvist and Ian Mitchell, but stood out more on day two. He has spent much of the calendar year focusing on his defensive game, and it shows. He did a good job keeping forwards in front of him and keeping a tight gap.
• Tim Soderlund again played with high intensity and compete level Tuesday. He is a hard worker and showed good hockey smarts. At one point, he took a forearm to the face and appeared to be shaken up, but jumped right back in line and put forth a good effort.
• Soderlund and Mathias From appeared to have good chemistry. The two enjoyed being partners in drills and played well off each other.
• John Dahlstrom stood out again with his size and offensive ability. Though only listed as being 6’0” and 189 pounds, Dahlstrom played bigger, using his frame to cause havoc in the small-area games. He also showed off his shot, cleanly beating goaltenders with his wrist shot on a few occasions.
• Josiah Slavin again showed his offensive ability for the second day, showcasing his great release and edge work. He has been great in one-on-one and two-on-two rushes both days so far. Slavin has regularly beat goaltenders clean with his shot.
• Mathew Robson, a free agent invite goaltender from the University of Minnesota, made his camp debut today.
• Niklas Nordgren did not skate Tuesday. No word on his status. He did not appear to be injured during yesterday’s skate.

Check out photos from Days 1 & 2 here:

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2017-18 was a successful season for the Chicago Blackhawks prospects in college hockey, and hopefully that trend doesn’t stop any time soon.  It will be tough with defensemen Blake Hillman and Dennis Gilbert signing pro contracts after their junior-year seasons, as well as forward Dylan Sikura graduating from Northeastern and signing with the Blackhawks.  But reinforcements are on the way.

At the 2018 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks selected three players who have committed to NCAA programs.  Third round selection Jake Wise will play for Boston University, fifth-rouder Mikael Hakkarainen will play for Providence, and seventh-round pick Josiah Slavin will suit up for the Colorado College Tigers after next season.

Wise is attending one of the most prestigious college hockey programs in the country in Boston University.  Although David Quinn has moved on taking a job with the New York Rangers, his development won’t miss a beat under Albie O’Connell.

Hakkarainen will also be in Hockey East, a very tough division in college hockey.  Providence is a young team where Hakkarainen will get some great experience under head coach Nate Leaman.  He could’ve played with fellow Blackhawks prospect Jake Ryczek, but he ended up leaving school to play for the Halifax Mooseheads.

Slavin will return to the Lincoln Stars of the USHL for another season to develop before he heads to Colorado Springs to play for Colorado of the NCHC.  He will be playing under head coach Mike Haviland, a former Blackhawks assistant coach.

Blackhawks prospects remaining in college hockey for next season are the following players:

• Evan Barratt, Penn State
• Liam Coughlin, Vermont
• Josh Ess, Wisconsin
• Parker Foo, Union College
• Chad Krys, Boston University
• Jake Massie, Vermont
• Ian Mitchell, University of Denver
• Fredrik Olofsson, University of Omaha-Nebraska
• Jack Ramsey, University of Minnesota
• Ryan Shea, Northeastern University
• Beau Starrett, Cornell University

Here are some details and video on the new Blackhawks headed to the NCAA, as well as links to their player profiles by our own Eric Andrews.

Jake Wise – C – Freshman at Boston University – 2018 3rd Rd. Pick

North Andover, MA – 5’10 – 189lbs – Shoots Left – U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)

2017-18 stats:  38GP, 11G, 32A, 6PIM, +5

Draft Pick Profile:  Jake Wise

Mikael Hakkarainen – C – Freshman at Providence – 2018 5th Rd. Pick

Helsinki, Finland – 6’0 – 183lbs – Shoots Left – Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

2017-18 stats:  36GP, 15G, 31A, 16PIM, +7

Draft Pick Profile:  Mikael Hakkarainen

Josiah Slavin – LW – Colorado College (2019) – 2018 7th Rd. Pick

Erie, CO – 6’2 – 182lbs – Shoots Left – Lincoln Stars (USHL)

2017-18 stats:  60GP, 23G, 19A, 30PIM, +27

Draft Pick Profile:  Josiah Slavin

The post Blackhawks Prospects Wise, Hakkarainen, Slavin Will Play College Hockey appeared first on The Rink.

First up is the Blackhawks’ first third round choice, center Jake Wise.

Jake Wise
2017–18 Team: USA U-18 National Team Development Program (NTDP)
Date of Birth: February 28, 2000
Place of Birth: Naples, FL
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 195 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: C

NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 38
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: Not Ranked

NHL Comparable: Travis Konecny

Once considered to be a potential top-10 draft pick, Jake Wise’s draft stock entered free fall after an average 2016–17 season and an injury to start this season. However, with a lights-out second half of the season, Wise re-established himself as a worthy prospect.

By the time June rolled around, some analysts believed Wise could sneak into the first round because of his strong late-season performance. Slotting in as the second line center on an absolutely loaded USNTDP U-18 team, Wise was able to slide under the radar a bit to find his game again. Wise managed to tally 43 points in 38 games this season.

Wise is a good skater. He has good speed and acceleration. One of his biggest skating strengths is his ability to change speed quickly and effectively thanks to his quick feet and high-end edgework. This ability allows him to excel in one-on-one situations, as he keeps defensemen guessing on what he will do. He can open up passing and shooting lanes with his feet for himself and his teammates, another valuable trait.

Wise possesses high-end hands. His stickhandling ability is excellent and he is very comfortable with the puck on his stick. Wise is capable of combining his hands and skating to beat defenders on the rush, but does not mind being patient to set up developing plays.

Wise has good vision, allowing him to be an effective passer. He reads plays well and recognizes the best places to get the puck to his teammates. Wise is able to make pinpoint passes, but does not force high-risk passes. His hockey sense and smarts are high-end, which helps him make the best decisions with the puck.

While not an elite shooter, his shot features a quick release and good accuracy, though not overly powerful. However, Wise is generally a pass-first type of player, as is evidenced by the 32 assists he registered this season. With his high-end release, he could stand to shoot the puck more, which would make him a more dangerous threat offensively.

Wise is responsible defensively and exudes good effort in his own end. He takes pride in his backchecking and does well supporting his defensemen. His smarts allow him to effectively recognize threats and adjust accordingly. He needs to add strength to help clearing the front of the net.

Implications for the Blackhawks
Many expected the Hawks to take a forward with at least one of their first round picks, so being able to grab a center some thought had first round potential with their first third round selection was a great get for the team. He should give the Blackhawks some added reliable depth at the center position, though not for a few more years.

Timeline
Wise is headed to Boston University next season, where he will likely spend at least a couple of years. The earliest Wise could conceivably take the United Center ice would likely be 2020–21.

Projection
Wise has the ability to become a middle-six centerman. While he likely doesn’t have a ton of high-end offensive upside, he should become a serviceable two-way player who is good in his own end and can contribute offensively.

What others are saying
“Top-end playmaker with superior vision and hockey sense who is the power play architect for Team USA’s under-18 team. Wise has excellent hand-eye coordination and razor sharp awareness, and he’ll rarely make a mistake when opponents giftwrap a scoring chance. He also possesses a highly-accurate shot that seems to give goalies a hard time.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst

“Wise is an incredibly intelligent player with the ability to read and react to the play developing around him. He was an offensive catalyst for Team USA, providing them with a combination of goal scoring and playmaking ability. He works extremely hard with or without the puck, and is always looking to generate a scoring chance. Wise does a lot of the little things right.”
— Future Considerations

The post Draft Pick Profile: Jake Wise appeared first on The Rink.

3rd round
69th pick: Jake Wise, C, USNTDP U-18 (USHL)
Some felt Wise had the potential to sneak into the first round. The fact the Blackhawks were able to grab him in the third round is great value.
74th pick: Niklas Nordgren, RW, HIFK Jr. (Finland)
The Hawks clearly like Nordgren, as they traded up to take the talented winger. He dominated this year in the Finnish junior league and played well on the international stage as well.

4th round
120th pick: Philipp Kurashev, C, Quebec (QMJHL)
Kurashev, a Swiss-born player, was a point-per-game player for the Remparts this season. He has excellent skating and good skill. Many view him as a high-risk, high-reward prospect.

5th round
139th pick: Mikael Hakkarainen, C, Muskegon (USHL)
Hakkarainen is a Finnish center who has spent the last couple of seasons playing in the United States in the USHL. He spent part of the 2016–17 season playing for the Chicago Steel.

6th round
162nd pick: Alexis Gravel, G, Halifax (QMJHL)
Gravel entered the season regarded as one of the best goaltender prospects in this year’s draft class. He has a sound technical foundation and could prove to be a valuable pick.

7th round
193rd pick: Josiah Slavin, LW, Lincoln (USHL)
The younger brother of Carolina Hurricanes rising star defenseman Jaccob Slavin, Josiah was passed over in last year’s draft. Slavin posted 42 points this season for the Lincoln Stars, a big uptick from his 14 points in 2016–17. Slavin has high character; the Stars recently named Slavin as their captain for next season.

Takeaways
The Blackhawks clearly established a trend with this draft: small, skilled players who can skate. With Slavin being the only skater above six feet tall, the Blackhawks did not appear to care about size. Additionally, the team appeared to have been willing to swing for the fences, as players like Boqvist and Kurashev are noted as being boom-or-bust prospects.

Though not yet formally announced, it is expected all of the Blackhawks’ draftees will be in attendance at the team’s upcoming prospect camp, likely to be held in mid-July.

The Rink’s full draft pick profiles on today’s picks will be available throughout the upcoming week.

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