NEWSLETTER
The Blackhawks announced Monday the four “teams” that will scrimmage against each other during this week’s development camp. The four bear the names of franchise icons, which is an interesting juxtaposition having legends attached to kids who might be the future.
Here are the four teams (Note: names in italics are undrafted camp invitees):
Team Mikita
Forwards: Frank Nazar, Dominic James, Gavin Hayes, Jake Wise
Defense: Nolan Allan, Filip Roos, Colton Huard
Goal: Jaxson Stauber, Mitchell Weeks
Note: Forward Jaylen Luypen is on this roster but is not participating because of injury.
This team has an interesting mix up front, with three 2022 draft picks and Wise, whose college career staggered because of injuries. With last year’s top pick, Allan, and the oldest defensemen in camp, Roos, on the same roster there will be a veteran to work with the youngster who is already signed.
Team Savard
Forwards: Colton Dach, Ryan Greene, Samuel Savoie, Victor Stjernborg, Ryder Rolston
Defense: Kevin Korchinski, Louis Crevier, Michael Krutil
Goal: Dominic Baase
Dach will get a lot of attention because of the trade sending his brother away, but this team’s excitement comes from the back wnd with Korchinski. Crevier is a massive human (6-8) and there are a couple 2022 draft picks among the forwards here as well.
Team Murray
Forwards: Paul Ludwinski, Landon Slaggert, Riku Tohila, Luke Mobley, Joseph Serpa
Defense: Alex Vlasic, Sam Rinzel, Ethan del Mastro
Goal: Drew Commesso
I’m going to keep an eye on Slaggert, whose game is developing nicely at Notre Dame. Ludwinski was Chicago’s first pick in the second round this year and there are a couple free agent tryouts on this team as well. The NHL experience of Vlasic will balance the two youngsters on the blue line. And we all want to see Commesso perform.
Team Esposito
Forwards: Aidan Thompson, Nils Juntorp, Liam Gorman, Parker Foo
Defense: Wyatt Kaiser, Connor Kelley, Taige Harding, Slava Demin
Goal: Ludvig Persson
Foo is an older prospect and Gorman was just acquired from Pittsburgh during the draft. Thompson was an over-age prospect drafted by the Blackhawks last week. And the two former teammates from Duluth on the blue line should give them some chemistry in front of the only free agent invite goaltender in camp.
