BN Exclusive: Aidan Thompson Talks Blackhawks, Pioneers, and the Wildest Hockey Summer of His Life

Earlier this week, I was able to speak with Blackhawks prospect Aidan Thompson about a summer in which he was drafted, played in development camps in Chicago and for USA Hockey, and is now headed to play for the University of Denver.

After not hearing his named called twice during the NHL Draft, Aidan Thompson finally had the moment that changed his life this summer. The Chicago Blackhawks selected Thompson with the third round of the 2022 NHL Draft (No. 90 overall), making the University of Denver center a member of general manager Kyle Davidson’s first draft class.

It was a moment Thompson had been waiting for, and after two successful seasons with the Lincoln Stars in the USHL, the time had finally arrived. He described the moment as surreal and a dream come true. The 20-year-old was on his way to the professional ranks.

Thompson maintains that he’s always played the game the same way. He self-scouted his game as a two-way forward who does “anything the team needs to win games.” He’ll score goals, kill penalties, add to the power play. Whether it’s the beginning or end of the game, he wants to be on the ice. Yet it took until his third year of being eligible for the draft for an NHL team to select him.

He was told by team scouts during the draft process that his continued work ethic and development earned him a potential NHL opportunity. And one team that showed significant interest before the draft was in Chicago.

“I talked to quite a few teams and I thought [the Blackhawks] were one team with more interest than others,” Thompson said. “So I thought they were a team that, when they were on the board, I would be looking a little more carefully. But like I said, I didn’t know exactly when I was going to go – I was thinking maybe [between the second and fourth rounds] – so when they picked me [in the third round] I was really happy.”

Getting drafted started a summer journey like Thompson had never experienced. He described a summer that began with the end of his season in Lincoln, followed by a few weeks off before training at DU and then the draft.

“That day was a little crazy” he joked.

The day after he was drafted, Thompson boarded a plan for Chicago to join the Blackhawks’ development camp. He then returned to Colorado for “about a week” before he jumped on another plane to join USA Hockey in their development camp for the World Juniors. Thompson used the word “chaotic” to describe his summer, and that feels like an understatement.

Thompson opened eyes at the Blackhawks’ development camp and even more at the USA camp, where he stood out until an injury ended his hopes of making the team for the rescheduled event in August. But playing well at both the Blackhawks’ camp and USA’s camp boosted his confidence heading into his first collegiate season at Denver.

“It reassures how you feel about yourself as a player,” he said. “Doing well [in Chicago] and meeting all the people was a great experience. Now coming to DU, I couldn’t be more excited and we’re all working for another national championship.”

Increased confidence will go a long way for Thompson, who is one of five new DU players selected in the 2022 NHL Draft; their roster is loaded with players who have either been drafted or will be draft eligible in the coming year. But it took two seasons with Lincoln in the USHL for him to finally get to the point that he’s an NHL draft pick himself.

Two years ago, Thompson finished second on the Lincoln squad with 33 points (10 goals, 23 assist) in 52 games. The only skater who finished that season ahead of him was Dominic James – who was selected by the Blackhawks in the sixth round (No. 173 overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft. James left Lincoln for his freshman season at Minnesota-Duluth, but the two were reunited at the Blackhawks’ development camp earlier this summer.

Minnesota-Duluth and Denver have a nice rivalry in the NCHC. Their conference also has a rivalry – with the Big Ten. Thompson said he and James made quick friends with another 2022 draft pick, even if their conferences don’t necessarily get along.

“[Dom and I] were giving it to Frank [Nazar] about being in the Big Ten,” Thompson said about some of the chirping that took place at the Fifth Third Arena in early July. “Obviously [the Big Ten is] a great conference but there’s a bit of a rivalry there so we were giving it to him a bit.”

Thompson, James and Nazar all skated at the USA Hockey development camp before the World Juniors this summer as well; James was the only one of the three to make the team and he had a strong WJC. All three will be on college campuses as new draft picks; Nazar is a freshman at Michigan.

So how does that work, exactly? They’re all players who were drafted by an NHL organization this summer – so they’re theoretically “teammates” – but they’re now playing for three different universities this season. And all three programs have legit national championship aspirations. According to Thompson, the Blackhawks are there to help while the staff at DU will handle the coaching.

“If I need anything, [the Blackhawks] are a great resource,” he said. “If you need video or nutrition or anything you need for your development the Blackhawks will have it. The coaching staff at DU – I don’t know if you can get a much better coaching staff than the guys here. I can’t wait to get to work chasing a tenth national championship.”

Thompson is right in having confidence in the coaching staff in Denver. He’s in incredibly good hands with DU head coach David Carle, who coached current Blackhawks prospects Ian Mitchell and recent college free agent signee Cole Guttman. Guttman was the captain of the Pioneers’ national title team last year. And the long list of DU players matriculating to the NHL ranks over the past decade is an indication of a program that knows what it takes to make good players into professionals.

The Blackhawks have a long history with the University of Denver, which we discussed when the Blackhawks signed Guttman.

Based on what we saw at the Blackhawks’ development camp, Thompson is primed to have a good first season at Denver. We’ll be watching how the Pioneers’ season progresses after a huge season-opening game against two other Blackhawks prospects when Denver heads to South Bend to start their 2022-23 season against Notre Dame – and Landon Slaggert and Ryder Rolston – in early October.

written by

Tab Bamford has been writing about the Chicago Blackhawks for almost two decades. He joined Bleacher Nation as the lead Blackhawks writer in May 2022. Tab is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and is the author of two books about the Blackhawks: "100 Things Blackhawks Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" (Triumph Books) and "Chicago Blackhawks: An Illustrated Timeline" (Reedy Press, 2021). Find him on Twitter/X/Instagram/Threads at @The1Tab

more blackhawks news

Blackhawks 0, Senators 2 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

Remember when the Blackhawks went to California for three games and started each game like they had 45 minutes of hockey to start caring? And dug a deep hole in each game that they were only able to escape from...

Blackhawks at Senators – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Don't look now, but the Chicago Blackhawks have won six of their last ten games. They still sit in second for the NHL draft lottery, but they're trending in the right direction; they're .500 in the month of March with...

These 3 Blackhawks Veterans Are Having Terrific Seasons

Entering Thursday night's action, the Chicago Blackhawks have the second-worst point percentage in the NHL -- even while they're 6-4-0 in their last 10 games. And they own the second-worst goal differential in the league (minus-76). It's been a long,...

28 on 28: Steve Larmer’s Rookie Season Remains the Blackhawks’ Standard

We're ten games away from the end of the 2023-24 regular season, and Connor Bedard continues to put up remarkable numbers for at age 18 in his first professional season. He will likely join Steve Larmer on the list of...

The Greatest Sports Watching Day of the Year, Next Year’s TV, an IceHogs Stunner, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Congratulations, sports fans! Today, March 28, 2024 is the greatest sports viewing day of the calendar year. Hands down, lock it up, no competition. It's Opening Day in MLB and Sweet 16 day one in the NCAA men's basketball tournament....

NHL Notes: Penguins Paradox, Torts Apologizes, Doan’s Dazzling Debut, Rangers Punch Ticket, More

It's a mid-week edition of NHL Notes and we have plenty to cover around the league. The Penguins find themselves with a tricky decision as their season draws to a close. John Tortorella dished out an apology to one of...

We Need to Talk About Jason Dickinson As a Selke Trophy Candidate — Again

Back in early February as the Blackhawks wrapped their pre-All-Star Game schedule, I wrote about Jason Dickinson's case for Selke Trophy votes. We're now ten games away from the end of Chicago's regular season, and with Dickinson reaching 20 goals...

Slaggert’s Big Night, Bedard’s Tape, Felcman to Rockford, Anderson, Tinordi, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

I'm gonna continue to smile, just like Landon Slaggert, because of his performance in last night's Blackhawks win. The former Notre Dame captain had his parents and young brother in the stands and he had one helluva game last night....

Blackhawks 3, Flames 1 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

The message Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was trying to get across with Monday's bag skate clearly landed. The start Chicago had on Tuesday night was a polar opposite of what they showed in the three games in California. They...

Blackhawks vs Flames – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

After a disappointing road trip that saw the Blackhawks get smoked for 7 of 9 periods, the team got a bag skate on Monday to think about their effort. They'll get back on the ice tonight in front of a...

Latest News

Washington State vs. Illinois Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Two hot teams meet when the Washington State Cougars (21-14) host the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-15) on April 1, 2024. The Cougars will put their three-game win streak on the line against the Fighting Illini, who have won three straight.On...

Villanova vs. Penn State Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Villanova Wildcats (21-12) will try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Penn State Lady Lions (22-12) on April 1, 2024. The Lady Lions have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Villanova...

Brewers vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Milwaukee Brewers are moneyline favorites (-110) to begin their season with a road win over the New York Mets on Friday at 1:40 PM ET, live on SNY.Freddy Peralta takes the mound for Milwaukee while Jose Quintana is New...

Braves vs. Phillies Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

The Philadelphia Phillies (0-0) host the Atlanta Braves (0-0) in an Opening Day game at 3:05 PM ET on Friday.The Braves will look to Spencer Strider against the Phillies and Zack Wheeler.Braves vs. Phillies Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen: Friday,...

Suns vs. Thunder Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The game starts at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The matchup's point total is...

Brewers vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

The Milwaukee Brewers (0-0) begin their 2024 season with a road matchup against the New York Mets (0-0) on Friday, with first pitch at 1:40 PM ET.The Brewers will give the nod to Freddy Peralta versus the Mets and Jose...

Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

Bulls vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Chicago Bulls (35-38) hit the court against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) as 5.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under set at 214.5 points.Before you place an informed wager...

more blackhawks news