Blackhawks Announce Prospect Camp Roster
On Thursday, the Blackhawks released the roster of players expected to participate in their annual prospect camp. It’s an impressive list with names from the 2016 NHL Draft class all the way up to players who are expected to make an appearance on the NHL ice this season.
Intriguingly, Michal Kempny will participate on a loaded Team C that features mostly players headed to Rockford or older college players. John Hayden and Luc Snuggerud are the two skaters who will head back to college from that team; the three attending goalie prospects who have been drafted by the Hawks are on Team C.
Also, there is a strong group from the NCHC making an appearance, especially among the free agents. Team A has four of the five NCHC free agents attending camp on the roster; Blackhawks prospect Fredrik Olofsson will be joined by Omaha teammate Jake Randolph, while there are three free agents from Minnesota-Duluth and one from Colorado College.
The camp begins on Sunday and runs through a scrimmage on Friday morning. Click here for times.
Team A
Blackhawks Prospects
Radovan Bondra, F
Chris Calnan, F
Mathias From, F
Graham Knott, F
Nathan Noel, F
Fredrik Olofsson, F
Beau Starrett, F
Lucas Carlsson, D
Dennis Gilbert, D
Jake Massie, D
Jake Ryczek, D
Free Agents
Trey Bradley, F – Colorado College
Adam Johnson, F – Minnesota-Duluth
Daniil Miomanov, F – Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
Jake Randolph, F – Nebraska-Omaha
James Sanchez, F – USNTDP
Jared Thomas, F – Minnesota-Duluth
Mark Auk, D – Michigan Tech
Johan Ivarsson, D – Malmo (Sweden)
Sam Piazza, D – Michigan
Yannick Rathgeb, D – Fribourg-Gotteron (NLA)
Jack Burgart, G – Weyburn (SJHL)
Collin Delia, G – Merrimack
Evgeny Kiselev, G – Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
Team B
Blackhawks Prospects
Liam Coughlin, F
John Dahlstrom, F
Alex DeBrincat, F
Matheson Iacopelli, F
Roy Radke, F
Jack Ramsey, F
Dylan Sikura, F
Blake Hillman, D
Chad Krys, D
Ryan Shea, D
Andreas Soderberg, D
Joni Tuulola, D
Free Agents
Alexandre Fortin, F – Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
Martin Ljungh, F – Djurgardens (Sweden)
Robert Michel, D – Maine
Neal Poink, D – Minnesota-Duluth
Connor Lacouvee, G – Boston University
Brandon McGovern, G – Maine
Shane Starrett, G – Air Force Academy
Team C
Blackhawks Prospects
Ryan Hartman, F
John Hayden, F
Vince Hinostroza, F
Luke Johnson, F
Tanner Kero, F
Anthony Louis, F
Tyler Motte, F
Nick Schmaltz, F
Carl Dahlstrom, D
Gustav Forsling, D
Dillon Fournier, D
Michal Kempny, D
Robin Norell, D
Robin Press, D
Luc Snuggerud, D
Nolan Valleau, D
Jake Hildebrand, G
Wouter Peeters, G
Matt Tomkins, G
Free Agents
Trevor Mingoia, F – Albany (AHL)
Roman Dyukov, D – Minsk (BEL)
Nikita Ustinenko, D – Dinamo Minsk (KHL)
My monies on Team C.
Brutally honest assessment? The system is very very weak right now other than Motte and Schmaltz (maybe) and possibly a Swedish player lottery ticket or two. This is what happens with winning and a great eight year run. But it’s depressing nevertheless. Put lipstick on a pig all you want Tab. Your choice.
Totally disagree w/ you, Big Earl. There’s a lot of potential in the system right now. Have you watched them? Apparently not. But players like Gustav Forsling, Alex DeBrincat, John Hayden, Fredrik Olofsson, Dennis Gilbert, Carl Dahlstrom and Mathias From might not have been on your television but that doesn’t make them mediocre or “lottery tickets” from Sweden.
We’re here to help educate, not put lipstick on a pig. And the assessment that the organization lacks depth and quality is naive. Is there a Patrick Kane in there? No. But how many Kanes are there? How many Toews are there? Not many. What the Hawks need is good hockey players – and there are some nice pieces coming.
Not sure why Earl and others who find the Black Hawks and this site “depressing” keep coming back. Maybe you should try a different sport and team – say the Cubs. Oh, wait!
I would rather be a fan of a team that is willing to make changes than the team that sticks with the same players every year and expects a different outcome.
Change is good!!
Robin Norell looks to have a real upside,good young puck moving D man.
Bondra has a hell of a frame on him, but will he be fast enough and smart enough ?
Great list of prospects Tab. Got to be a diamond in the rough in there for sure .
Should be some fun hockey to watch next week. These young lads have all been invited because ,,,,.,.they are talented,.,,.good luck boys.
It’s easy to be negative and act like some sort of enlightened thinker! It’s actually lazy and mindless. The hawks have worked hard to stock the minors despite also trying to win championships. Given the dual mandate the hawks have still managed to have their fair share of prospects.
Earl, Rufus – no one on this board is qualified to make the kind of blanket statements you love to make about the lack of depth in our system unless you’ve spent lots of time watching these kids, as Tab said. Otherwise it’s just hot air. If a well respected scout said our system is “very very weak”, I’d take notice. You saying it…no.
Outside of Schmaltz there is not another top 150 NHL prospect in the system. I’m not crucifying Bowman or anybody, for this is the price to pay in big regard for being an elite team the last 8 years. But now as we face a new era and try to rebuild on the fly and lick our wounds from some major salary cap induced losses over the past couple of seasons? Well, it’s very hard to get jacked up with what is in the pipeline. Because honestly it is a very weak pipeline of talent. Right now at least.
“Outside of Schmaltz there is not another top 150 NHL prospect in the system.”
most analysts would strongly disagree with this statement. Forsling, Motte, Hartman, DeBrincat & Hayden would all make a top 150 list. Easily. Pokka, Hinostroza, Norell, Dahlstrom, Knott, From, Olofsson & Louis are all good pieces as well.
But keep educating us, Earl. So far, so….
I don’t recall where Brandon Saad was listed, numbers wise, but he sure was a helluva player. If we have that here, it is exciting. I’m looking for a diamond amongst those listed. Good luck young men. Welcome to Blackhawks Nation!!!
From- looks like he has some jump (albeit versus weak comp)
Bondra- actually has decent straight line speed for huge frame… negative for me- I thought he loafed or had zero heart/pursuit for the puck going the other way!!!
Olofsson, Norell, Press, Tuulola- all good skaters… let’s a few of them have the IQ/and Heart to be difference makers ( Runblad- is a good skater)…
Did DeBrincat take one Q’s daughters out (late last nite?)… He is skating with the worst of the bunch… Perhaps the FO- wants to see if this kid can carry the play versus the Better (on Paper “A” and “C” teams???)
A – team has the Tall forwards
I am hoping/looking for From and Tuulola to surprise… Tuulola – really liked him in U-20’s for Fins
Wall, I’m glad you mentioned Bondra. The only time I’ve seen him play was at last year’s Fan Festival at the UC. In that scrimmage I was pretty impressed with how he always seemed to be in the mix. When he was on the ice you knew it. As you said, big frame with seemingly some speed and agility. Can’t speak for his overall game based on multiple views (because I don’t have any), but he stood out when I saw him.
Just to clarify a bit of what I said above so as not to insult any of the very knowledgeable people who post on this board. I enjoy reading your comments about players you have watched and your thoughts about their potential. I, for one, am always in the dark until I see the kids play, which usually doesn’t happen until they make the jump to the bigs. So always grateful for the first hand knowledge and observations.
Mr. Rufus/Earl Campbell/Snidely Sam: if Tab had time, he could go back in these archives and pull dozens (likely over a hundred) of your prior posts that were based upon pure speculation, flat out inaccurate, and proved to be incorrect. Your sole topics that comes to mind you were accurate about were the trade of Teavo (whom you plain never liked for over two years) and inability of Morin to produce in the NHL (and we all know you cant stand him either).
As others have stated, why dont you try out some other Hawks’/hockey/other major sport blog. Your analysis is so keen I’m sure you could enlighten a fresh batch of bloggers on a different site.
All the best to you.
Amen Iceman-
we can only hope that he blesses others with his amazing insights ( or is it rhetoric–def> language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience, but often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content.)
Now, now…it would seem that as long as it isn’t relentless personal attacks, RTF, Earl, Whoever should be free to participate, right?
I’ve disagreed with him on almost every point, and I agree with Iceman that his record supports how often he’s gotten it correct. (Teravainen and Morin…and I agree about Morin – some guys can be scorers at every level until they reach the NHL and then, for whatever reason, they can elevate their game) I think the “end of an era” crap is just that…as well as the pipeline being empty nonsense, but we’ll see…
I really like that the Hawks are bringing-in all these guys – there may be a surprise or two? (I haven’t seen them paly except for a few clips, but only ONE prospect in a Top 150 List seems laughable.) GO HAWKS!!
(I appreciated input from Hoff and Sr. Brad…)
Well everyone has a right to their opinion .. Responding to him constantly is exactly what he wants, Read it and move on and don’t respond.
There are some folks here I just read and their are several I enjoy responding to.
All in all its a pretty good group of fans.
Here is something to keep in mind. Team C has most of the older prospects who have already played pro hockey.
They mostly practice at the prospect camp. Teams A and B have the younger players and they scrimmage each other 3 times.
There may be some talented players there. I just hope the best ones don’t get traded at the end of the season ala Danault or was that Dano? I get why, but in retrospective getting rid of Denault and their second round pick for Fleischman and Weiss was probably not the best trade. It changed the chemistry too close to the playoffs and hmm… these two were okay with the Habs but not great. I guess it worked the previous year picking up some veterans at the end of the season, but I’m not sure that is how you want to go every year. I’m rooting for Nick Schmaltz. I think he can be a real difference maker and I’m glad he got signed.
Craig- I noticed that too!!!
C- is there just to show A/B how to practice??? Hawks -pretty much know what these guys can do…
So A/B will do all of the “Fighting/competing” for their pecking order in the system…
and C isn’t scheduled for Head-to-Head scrimmages
However, I seem to remember that in years past- the “scrimmages-scheduled/games” have changed mid-week…
I am looking to go and check out at least one day.
Anyone have a read on Hayden? I’m very excited about this kid, but a little worried since he’s got the ability to be a free agent next summer. I know he was elected captain at Yale and that was a big draw in going back. Anyone know how committed he is to the Hawks?
Hayden has been at prospect camp every year since he was drafted I believe. He put a big emphasis on school and finishing school from the get go. Was born in Chicago but his hometown in Greenwich, Ct. Listed his favorite team as the Rangers. I’m interested to see if he plays center or wing as he has primarily played wing.
Short answer- no one knows his signability.
Mox- don’t know about Hayden’s Plan… but seems like he brings what Hawks are missing, some size, and not afraid of contact…
Watched him closely couple years ago WJC-20… thought he was effective/smart/physical… knock on him was skating… but I thought he skated ok Vs. Jrs…. played more of “checking” role for U-20… I liked him.
I’m rooting for the underdog Iacopelli. The rare Western Michigan University NHL prospect that I get to watch play at the collegiate level. Seen him play a number of times, but it’s kind of hard to get a read on skill level when there are a variety of talent levels playing with them (not always good)
Iceman don’t forget he wanted to run Kane out of town also. Haters gonna hate.
I am pumped at how many NCAA defense prospects the Hawks will have this fall :
Gilbert (ND), Hillman (DU), Snuggerud (Omaha), Massie (Vermont), Shea(Northeastern), Krys(Boston Univ), Relszyk (Providence)
Should be some really entertaining weekend hockey. If 2 of these 7 kids turn into a good pro/NHL caliber defender, that would be fantastic.
Haydens signabilty has always been a wild card. An ivy league education is nothing to sneeze at. The kid plays extremely hard and has had some nice battles at camp. He has been a standout among his peer group. Big, physical, nasty & and skilled he represents a minority across the Hawks prospect pool.
You make me sick when you speak Earl.