MEET THE NEW BLACKHAWKS
• Adam Boqvist, D
Picked: Round 1 ( eighth overall). Vitals: 5- 11, 168, shoots right. Stats: Five goals, 12 assists in 19 games ( Sweden).
Noteworthy: Offensively gifted defenseman has a tremendously high ceiling but is still two or three years away from the NHL. Needs significant work defensively.
Quoteworthy: ‘‘ It’s his ability to impact the game,’’ Hawks director of scouting Mark Kelley said. ‘‘ He’s just so creative and makes fast plays.’’ • Nicolas Beaudin, D Picked: Round 1 ( 27th). Vitals: 5- 11, 172, shoots left. Stats: 12 goals, 57 assists in 68 games ( QMJHL). Noteworthy: Savvy playmaker and power- play quarterback. Quoteworthy: ‘‘ I’m a two- way defenseman, but I can provide offense, too. I’ve got a great IQ. I think in my zone I’m just getting better and better.’’ • Jake Wise, C Picked: Round 3 ( 69th). Vitals: 5- 10, 194, shoots left. Stats: Nine goals, 19 assists in 18 games ( USHL). Noteworthy: Two- way center with playmaking ability. Quoteworthy: ‘‘ I’m just a really reliable guy, and I think with the Blackhawks I can play in every situation.’’ • Niklas Nordgren, RW Picked: Round 3 ( 74th). Vitals: 5- 9, 174, shoots right. Stats: 15 goals, 12 assists in 17 games ( Finland). Noteworthy: Diminutive but sturdy, with a sniper’s touch. The Blackhawks traded the No. 87 and No. 142 picks to the Coyotes to move up and take him. Quoteworthy: ‘‘ Pretty exciting to get [ taken by] the Blackhawks, one of my favorite teams in the NHL. Great city. I watch the games on TV. Great fans.’’ • Philipp Kurashev, LW/ C Picked: Round 4 ( 120th). Vitals: 6- 0, 190, shoots left. Stats: 19 goals, 41 assists in 59 games ( QMJHL). Noteworthy: Boom- or- bust pick played for Switzerland at world juniors, compiling four goals and four assists in 11 international games. Quoteworthy: ‘‘ Really smart, skilled centerman,’’ Kelley said. ‘‘ But he’s also really strong on his skates.’’ • Mikael Hakkarainen, F Picked: Round 5 ( 139th). Vitals: 6- 1, 194, shoots left. Stats: 15 goals, 31 assists in 36 games ( USHL).
Noteworthy: The Blackhawks traded a fifth- round pick in 2019 to move up to take Hakkarainen, who’s heading to Providence College in the fall.
Quoteworthy: ‘‘ When you went and saw him play, he got on the scoresheet,’’ Kelley said. ‘‘ But even if he wasn’t on the scoresheet, you noticed him play. He played hard — 200- foot.’’ • Alexis Gravel, G Picked: Round 6 ( 162nd). Vitals: 6- 3, 223, catches right. Stats: 20- 11- 1, .890 save percentage, 3.38 goalsagainst average in 39 games ( QMJHL). Noteworthy: German- born goalie came to Canada when he was 6. Was the thirdranked North American goalie, according to NHL Central Scouting. Quoteworthy: ‘‘ It’s probably the best day of my life. I just look down, and there’s a Chicago Blackhawks logo on the jersey. It feels amazing. It’s unreal.’’ • Josiah Slavin, F Picked: Round 7 ( 193rd). Vitals: 6- 0, 161, shoots left. Stats: 23 goals, 19 assists in 60 games ( USHL). Noteworthy: Younger brother of Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin. Quoteworthy: ‘‘ He’s going to play another year and then go to Colorado College,’’ Kelley said. ‘‘ We just like the whole project.’’