Blackhawks Prospect Camp Updates
The Hawks have skated through two days of scrimmages at prospect camp now, and we have highlights! Let’s take a look at a few kids who impressed over the last two days.
- Monday
On the red team, Roy Radke stole the show with a hat trick in the first scrimmage of the prospect camp. Radke, a sixth round pick in this summer’s draft, skated on a line with 2015 seventh round pick John Dahlstrom and 2014 sixth round pick Dylan Sikura and was able to find the back of the net twice in a span of 19 seconds in the second half of the scrimmage. John Dahlstrom also scored in the first half of the scrimmage.
The red team featured three interesting players to watch on the blue line. Carl Dahlstrom, Robin Press and Luc Snuggerud skated on the same side of the ice and looked good, especially in the second half as the red team was able to shut down the white team for the final 22 minutes.
The Hawks skated their top draft pick from this summer’s draft, second rounder Graham Knott, on a line with last year’s camp highlight John Hayden and Michigan center Tyler Motte. Hayden scored one of the four goals produced by the white squad, and Ohio State defenseman Sam Jardine scored as well. Jardine was a sixth round pick in 2011 and is entering his final collegiate season in Columbus.
- Tuesday
Fredrik Olofsson, a fourth round pick in 2014 who spent last season with the Chicago Steel in the USHL, had an impressive day with and without the puck. Still only 19, Olofsson has good size (6-2, 205) and handles the puck well. He’s certainly a player to keep an eye on this season.
Radovan Bondra, a fifth round pick this summer, skated on the top line for the red team with Nick Schmaltz and Anthony Louis for a second day. Schmaltz had a terrific freshman season at North Dakota; Olofsson, Schmaltz and Louis are three of the 14 Blackhawks prospects expected to play NCAA hockey this season. Olofsson will begin his collegiate career at Omaha, where he’ll join Snuggerud. The Hawks will also have two prospects at North Dakota (Schmaltz and Luke Johnson).
College free agent Zachary Aston-Reese was the only player to score a goal in the scrimmages on both Monday and Tuesday. He will play his third season at Northeastern University, where he’ll be a teammate of Sikura.
Thanks for the updates Tab! Oduya signed with Dallas ;-(
Is that Visentin in net for the White team? How did he look?
One more thing, on Sunday not only did I watch the players but b/c I was seated near SB I tried watching him without being overtly creepy. He was clearly watching Fredrik Olofsson, who I thought was Erik Gustafsson uurgh! Nice to see Olofsson has had a nice camp so far.
SSHM, Visentin is not in prospect camp. We’ll see a lot of him in traning camp I’m certain.
SSHM-were you getting ready to criticize Gustafson’s defense before you realized it was Olofson?
Side question, was Motte at last year’s camp? Something in my head tells me someone wrote something saying he wasn’t and I thought they were alluding to the possibility of not signing. Also, is Hayden playing more wing or center??
Too bad Forsling has a wrist injury because he’s another guy I was interested in hearing about. Olofsson, Hayden and Hinostroza were the other guys I was most interested in. Louis is interesting but so small he has very long odds to play in the NHL – there aren’t too many Johnny Gaudreau’s.
re: Ernie’s question about Motte last year – Motte, Louis & Hayden attended the US invite camp for the WJC roster last summer. If memory serves, he missed the Hawks’ camp because he planned on attending that a couple weeks later. And yes, I’m aware that Hayden didn’t miss anything…
Looks like from the IceHogs photos they posted that Jardine and Woody Hudson (not sure who he is?) got in a scrap.
@ Ernie
No, lol just confused. There are alot of guys zooming down the ice in the dills. Especially, when they run seperate drills in the same zones.
Speaking about Motte, omg his shot is amazing. Quick release and heavy. The goalies where fighting it all day on Sunday. He`s listed at 5’9 so he has an uphill battle making the big show.
Last year at rookie camp I was equally as confused by Klas Dalhbeck and Carl Dalstrom. I didnt realize that until after i left.
Nice story and quotes from Sam Jardine by Scott Powers, ESPN. Sounds like a smart kid. Could be a diamond in the rough
Tab, … what the history on Roy Radke? being a Geneva resident I’m curious, .. I really appreciate your coverage and insight.
Sounded like the two Russian invitees have done well? What did you think of their performances? Do you think the Hawks will sign them?
Free agents left camp as of end of yesterday (Wed.), practices and drills today and supposedly they will scrimmage tomorrow, their drafted and signed prospects only.
I have not heard a word about any of the free agents they may be interested in signing …