On Tuesday afternoon, USA Hockey announced 60 players have been invited to their evaluation camp for the rescheduled 2022 World Junior Championship. Three Blackhawks prospects made the list.
Landon Slaggert, who was Chicago’s first third-round pick (No. 79 overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft, just completed his sophomore season at Notre Dame. He has produced 20 goals and 28 assists in 65 games for the Fighting Irish over his two seasons, and saw his goal production increase from eight as a freshman to 12 this past year.
Wyatt Kaiser, who was the 81st overall selection in 2020 (two spots after Slaggert), just completed his sophomore season at Minnesota-Duluth. He posted 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in 34 games with Duluth this past season.
And Connor Kelley, the Blackhawks’ first pick in the seventh round (No. 204 overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, is transferring to Providence College after two years at Duluth with Kaiser. Kelley scored five goals with 11 assists in 64 games over his two seasons at Duluth.
Last week, three more Blackhawks prospects — defensemen Nolan Allan and Ethan Del Mastro and forward Colton Dach — were named to Hockey Canada’s camp invite roster as well.