2012 NHL Draft: Blackhawks Review Rounds 3-7

Here are the picks the Chicago Blackhawks made between the 3rd and 7th rounds on Saturday:

3 (79) – Chris Calnan, F, Nobles High School
6-2, 187

It appears Calnan was destined to become part of the Blackhawks organization. He’s from the same high school as 2010 first round pick Kevin Hayes, and is the nephew of Jeremy Roenick. He plans on attending Boston College, which also shouldn’t surprise Hawks fans; Ben Smith and Jimmy Hayes went to BC, Kevin Hayes is still there, and now Calnan will join him. He was ranked 78th overall by Mckeens.

The Hawks traded their 4th round pick (#109) to the San Jose Sharks for a 2012 7th round pick (#191) and a 4th round pick in 2013.

5 (139) – Garret Ross, F, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
5-11, 170

Ross was a teammate of Brandon Saad in Saginaw this year, but he’s a different style of player. He’s been described as “mean” by many scouts, and fought Andrew Shaw in 2009. He had 54 points (25 goals, 29 assists) for Saginaw last year. He turned 20 in late May.

5 (149) – Travis Brown, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
6-1, 180

Brown, like Ross, battled with a 2011 Blackhawks draft pick at one point in his life, fighting Mark McNeill this past February. He led Moose Jaw defenseman with seven goals and 24 assists in 66 games in his first WHL season last year. Central Scouting ranked Brown #89 among North American skaters.

6 (169) – Vincent Hinostroza, C, Waterloo (USHL)
5-9, 160

From suburban Bartlett, Hinostroza had 44 points (20 goals 24 assists) in 55 games in the USHL last year.

7 (191) – Brandon Whitney, G, Victoriaville (QMJHL)
6-5, 193

This could end up being the gem from the 2012 class for GM Stan Bowman. Whitney was the 73rd ranked prospect by Mckeens and Central Scouting rated him the #2 North American goalie entering this year’s draft.

7 (199) – Matt Tomkins, G, Sherwood Park (AJHL)
6-2, 176

Eight picks after selecting Whitney, Bowman came back with another goalie in Tomkins. Central Scouting had Tomkins ranked 10th among North American goalies.