We haven’t had the pleasure of watching the Blackhawks’ college prospects during the Tom Kurvers showcase or during the preseason training camp, but their seasons open when the calendar rolls over to October. And there are some terrific games on the slate early for Blackhawks fans to watch.
Here’s a list of college games we’ll have our eyes on in the coming month (and you should, too):
Taige Harding and Connor Kelley will try to help preseason No. 15 Providence beat preseason No. 7 Quinnipac in an exhibition game this weekend. A good test before the games start counting for Providence.
Aidan Thompson will join the defending national champions at DU. They get it started against Landon Slaggert, Ryder Rolston and the Fighting Irish in the Ice Breaker Tournament. Maine and the Air Force Academy are also in the tournament; DU and Air Force are co-hosts this year.
Drew Commesso against Frank Nazar? Sign me up! The Blackhawks will also have forward Ryan Greene at BU and, as we’ve said more than once, Hawks fans should keep an eye on Michigan forward Adam Fantilli as well.
2019 sixth-rounder Dominic Basse could be in net as St. Cloud State heads to Madison. The Huskies start the season ranked 13th in the country.
Wyatt Kaiser and Dominic James get a look at a Badgers lineup that includes ten NHL draft picks (so far). It’s also a good ol’ rivalry getting dusted off, which is fun.
Harding and Kelley against Thompson. This is a big early test for DU against a nationally-ranked Providence squad.