2017 Blackhawks Prospect Camp: Team B Breakdown
Yesterday, we broke down “Team A” at the Blackhawks upcoming prospect camp. Now, we’ll look at “Team B.”
Most eyes will be on Alex DeBrincat on this team. He finished an enormous career with Erie and is headed to the professional ranks.
But there are some other players coming off great individual seasons on this roster. Matthew Highmore, Graham Knott and Nathan Noel will likely join DeBrincat in Rockford this season. Meanwhile, Radovan Bondra still needs a contract and Dylan Sikura is headed back to college.
- Forwards
Evan Barratt
6-0, 187
DOB: 2/18/1999
Acquired: 3rd round (#90) – 2017 NHL Draft
2016-17: 63 games, 18 goals, 38 assists, 56 points – US U18 Team (USDP)
2017-18: Penn State University (NCAA)
Radovan Bondra
6-5, 216
DOB: 1/22/1997
Acquired: 5th round (#151) – 2015 NHL Draft
2016-17: 62 games, 32 goals, 31 assists, 63 points – Vancouver/Prince George (WHL)
2017-18: TBD
Alex DeBrincat
5-7, 165
DOB: 12/18/1997
Acquired: 2nd round (#39) – 2016 NHL Draft
2016-17: 63 games, 65 goals, 62 assists, 127 points – Erie (OHL)
2017-18: Rockford (AHL) or Chicago (NHL)
Matthew Highmore
5-11, 181
DOB: 2/27/1996
Acquired: signed as a free agent
2016-17: 64 games, 34 goals, 55 assists, 89 points – Saint John (QMJHL)
2017-18: Rockford (AHL)
Graham Knott
6-4, 194
DOB: 1/13/1997
Acquired: 2nd round (#54) – 2015 NHL Draft
2016-17: 59 games, 15 goals, 37 assists, 52 points – Niagara/Windsor (OHL)
2017-18: Rockford (AHL)
Nathan Noel
5-11, 174
DOB: 6/21/1997
Acquired: 4th round (#113) – 2016 NHL Draft
2016-17: 52 games, 24 goals, 26 assists, 50 points – Saint John (QMJHL)
2017-18: Rockford (AHL)
Roy Radke
6-3, 205
DOB: 12/10/1996
Acquired: 6th round (#164) – 2015 NHL Draft
2016-17: 45 games, 23 goals, 13 assists, 36 points – Barrie (OHL)
2017-18: TBD
Jack Ramsey
6-3, 185
DOB: 11/2/1995
Acquired: 7th round (#208) – 2014 NHL Draft
2016-17: 36 games, 1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points – University of Minnesota (NCAA)
2017-18: University of Minnesota (NCAA)
Dylan Sikura
5-11, 160
DOB: 6/1/1995
Acquired: 6th round (#148) – 2014 NHL Draft
2016-17: 38 games, 21 goals, 36 assists, 57 points – Northeastern University (NCAA)
2017-18: Northeastern University (NCAA)
Tim Söderlund
5-9, 163
DOB: 1/23/1998
Acquired: 4th round (#117) – 2017 NHL Draft
2016-17: 39 games, 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points – Skellefteå AIK (SHL)
2017-18: Skellefteå AIK (SHL)
- Defenseman
Blake Hillman
6-1, 181
DOB: 1/26/1996
Acquired: 6th round (#173) – 2016 NHL Draft
2016-17: 43 games, 1 goal, 7 assists, 8 points – University of Denver (NCAA)
2017-18: University of Denver (NCAA)
Chad Krys
6-0, 185
DOB: 4/10/1998
Acquired: 2nd round (#45) – 2016 NHL Draft
2016-17: 39 games, 5 goals, 6 assist, 11 points – Boston University (NCAA)
2017-18: Boston University (NCAA)
Ian Mitchell
5-10, 165
DOB: 1/18/1999
Acquired: 2nd round (#57) – 2017 NHL Draft
2016-17: 53 games, 8 goals, 29 assists, 37 points – Spruce Grove (AJHL)
2017-18: University of Denver (NCAA)
Ryan Shea
6-1, 176
DOB: 2/11/1997
Acquired: 4th round (#121) – 2015 NHL Draft
2016-17: 38 games, 1 goal, 13 assists, 14 points – Northeastern University (NCAA)
2017-18: Northeastern University (NCAA)
Luc Snuggerud
6-1, 190
DOB: 9/18/1995
Acquired: 5th round (#141) – 2014 NHL Draft
2016-17: 39 games, 11 goals, 20 assists, 31 points – U. of Nebraska-Omaha (NCAA)
2017-18: Rockford (AHL)
Andreas Söderberg
6-4, 205
DOB: 6/16/1996
Acquired: 5th round (#148) – 2015 NHL Draft
2016-17: 52 games, 3 goals, 6 assists, 9 points – IK Pantern (Allsvenskan – Sweden)
2017-18: IK Pantern (Allsvenskan – Sweden)
Joni Tuulola
6-2, 172
DOB: 1/1/1996
Acquired: 6th round (#181) – 2015 NHL Draft
2016-17: 52 games, 2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points – HPK (Liiga – Sweden)
2017-18: Sport (Liiga – Sweden)
Joey Keane – free agent
6-1, 190
DOB: 5/28/1995
2016-17: 67 games, 1 goal, 18 assists, 19 points – Barrie (OHL)
2017-18: Barrie (OHL)
Brogan Rafferty – free agent
6-1, 194
DOB: 6/10/1994
2016-17: 40 games, 2 goals, 22 assists, 24 points – Quinnipiac University (NCAA)
2017-18: Quinnipiac University (NCAA)
- Goaltenders
Matt Tomkins
6-1, 194
DOB: 6/19/1994
Acquired: 7th round (#199) – 2012 NHL Draft
2016-17: 22 games, .909 save pct, 2.48 GAA – Ohio State (NCAA)
2017-18: Rockford (AHL) or Indy (ECHL)
Collin Delia – free agent
6-2, 201
DOB: 6/20/1994
2016-17: 21 games, .927 save pct, 2.15 GAA – Merrimack College (NCAA)
2017-18: Merrimack College (NCAA)
- On this roster, the only player who will participate in off-ice drills only will be last year’s prospect camp sensation, forward Alexandre Fortin.
On this list, the following players have a contract with either the Blackhawks or IceHogs for the 2017-18 season:
- Alex DeBrincat
- Matthew Highmore
- Graham Knott
- Nathan Noel
- Luc Snuggerud
- Matt Tomkins*
* – AHL contract with Rockford
The following prospects will be playing college hockey during the 2017-18 season:
- Dylan Sikura – Northeastern
- Ryan Shea – Northeastern
- Blake Hillman – Denver
- Ian Mitchell – Denver
- Chad Krys – Boston U.
- Evan Barratt – Penn State
- Jack Ramsey – Minnesota
Curious about the progress of Tuulola as he seemed to be a player of interest at one point and how Noel looks at this camp-same size as Shaw and is developing a similar style.
One player in the CHL this year and he is a Finn. They are continuing their recent trend as outlined in the Hockey News–bottom few teams in % use of drafting in the CHL.
They constantly go with NCAA players but name guys since Toews and Keith (Canadians) that they have drafted and developed that have impacted? It’s not a short list let a lone a big list. The Americans in the CHL-Kane, Saad, Hartman, maybe D-Cat in the future-yes it’s worked.
In terms of guys from the NCAA who have made the Hawks roster you have TVR, Kero, Hayes, Bollig, Smith, Pirri, Leddy (drafted by Wild), Svedberg, Baun, Motte, Schmaltz, Olsen, and LeBlanc. They have had some impact, but not many of them have stuck around with the Hawks, or been big game changers. Some of them have been decent depth though. I never thought about your point until you mentioned it. It seems that some of the more impactful players in recent years have come from the CHL
I like their plan of drafting through the college route though since it gives them a chance to have a more complete, well-rounded, stronger player at the end of four years. It also gives them a chance to have them cost-controlled and more ready to be slotted in the roster. It also can leave more space in Rockford, of which this year their forward group looks to be pretty green in terms of professional experience.
Nick-this list:
TVR, Kero, Hayes, Bollig, Smith, Pirri, Leddy (drafted by Wild), Svedberg, Baun, Motte, Schmaltz, Olsen, and LeBlanc.
really helps my point–and I’m aware not all picks pan out, in fact most don’t. But guys like Shaw, Danault, Bickell, Crow, and Seabrook were from the CHL–the above might have one-, Schmaltz that has a true impact.
Your point about the financial side makes some sense but if you lose the player, like K. Hayes it’s a moot point. In the CHL they play almost a full NHL season against the best junior players in the world–not just several weekend games each year.
But, both have value–my complaint is about the balance.
Just a question why they have leaned so heavily this way?
Svedberg was undrafted and never played college hockey.
TVR, Kero, Baun, and LeBlanc were all free agent signings I believe, not draft picks.
Why isn’t Fortin listed above as under contract? He has a $706,666 cap hit through the 2019-2020 season.
Tuuola was on the Finnish team that won the World Juniors. I think based on that, and his solid defensive play, there are still hopes as he matures he can move up the ranks in good order.
Snuggerud is the cream of this crop and a guy to keep an eye on in Rockford this year. Good mobility and provides a little offense from the back end, after a great 3 year college career, turned pro last year and excelled in Rockford in a few games at the end of the season. If he picks up where he left off, he could play his way to Chicago by next season. This guy is key because if he and Forsling both pan out, our defense just got faster by quite a bit.
Mitchell, the 2nd round pick this year, is a curious one, as not many sub 6 foot players make it to the NHL as a defenseman. Don’t know much about him but he better be a killer skater.
Brogan Rafferty a right shooting free agent Dman who has some promise also could be worth watching too.
On the subject of NCAA players verse other shall we say leagues? How many #1 overall draft picks really make it as impact player? How many where NCAA players? You should think the more lower level games played can lead to injury and as you have seen many do not come back as good.
The above postings are very good. I have to agree that the front office’s draft and free agent work is questionable. I wonder how much S.B.’s father had to do with building the core?
The Hawks have in the past had many Great players/impact from the NCAA that where not #1 picks, some even rejects. Right now they have quite a few playing at DU and that team IS really good.
Side note: Posters on this site where very upset/crying when K. Hayes snubbed the Hawks for Boston. Boston sent him to the Rangers and now three years later he is looking/without a team.
Toot’70 agreed as long as they can play and help the team win by addressing the needs it really doesn’t matter where they come from or how big they are or aren’t.
Toot70
You have some bad info here-your quote below:
Side note: Posters on this site where very upset/crying when K. Hayes snubbed the Hawks for Boston. Boston sent him to the Rangers and now three years later he is looking/without a team.
Kevin Hayes became a free agent after going in the 1st round to the Hawks–and went to New York-not Boston
He had 17 goals and 49 points last year and they like him-your getting him mixed up with his brother and combining info from both of them (Jimmy Hayes)