The rumor mill is buzzing about who the Chicago Blackhawks will take in the upcoming 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Will it be the offensively gifted Russian forward Ivan Demidov? Will it be the well-rounded defenseman Artyom Levshunov? The debate amongst fans rages on, and will continue to be a major topic of discussion leading up to the first round of the draft on June 28.
As the debate continues, it seems only fitting to check in on Chicago’s 2023 draft picks. The Blackhawks made 11 selections in last year’s draft, including seven in the first three rounds. This article will check in on all 11 prospects and update you on what these prospects have done since being drafted by the Blackhawks.
Connor Bedard — First overall
(Photo courtesy of George Walker IV / AP Photo)
What more is there to say about the Blackhawks’ first selection in the 2023 draft. The most hyped prospect since Connor McDavid, Connor Bedard was the clear first overall selection for years leading up to the 2023 draft. He was the prize of the lottery, and Chicago had the honor of drafting him first overall.
Bedard only rewarded Chicago with one of the best rookie seasons in franchise history. Despite missing 14 games with a fractured jaw in a Jan. 5 game against the New Jersey Devils, Bedard racked up 61 points in 68 games. He ended the season with 22 goals, tied most on the team with Jason Dickinson, and a team-leading 39 assists. The Calder Trophy is a formality for Bedard.
The future is bright for Bedard. He will be the figurehead of the new-age Blackhawks and will more than likely develop into one of the NHL’s best players.
Oliver Moore — 19th overall
Oliver Moore selected at 19th overall at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. (Photo courtesy of Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
The second of two first-round picks Chicago had in the 2023 draft, Oliver Moore was a forward Kyle Davidson coveted. Davidson made multiple attempts to trade up in last year’s draft specifically to draft Moore. By some miracle, Davidson was able to get the forward he wanted without having to trade up from 19.
Despite being highly coveted, Chicago did not sign Moore to an entry-level contract. Instead, he joined the University of Minnesota to play hockey at the NCAA level. In his first season with Minnesota, Moore had 33 points in 39 games. In the Big 10 tournament, Moore had one point in three games, and his Minnesota Gophers were eliminated by the Michigan Wolverines in the semifinals.
Moore also joined the USA World Juniors team, where he had three points in seven games.
As of now, the plan with Moore is to have him return to Minnesota for another season. If his development continues to go well, there may be a chance that he signs an entry-level contract with Chicago late in the 2024–25 season, similar to how Frank Nazar was signed near the end of the 2023–24 season.
Adam Gajan — 35th overall
(Photo courtesy of George Walker IV / AP Photo)
With their first pick in the second round, Chicago started the run of goalie draft picks. Adam Gajan impressed many with his outstanding performance for Slovakia in the 2023 World Juniors, where he posted a .936 save percentage.
After being drafted, Gajan joined the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. In a league known for poor defensive play, Gajan struggled. In 43 games, he posted a 3.35 goals against average, with a save percentage of .893. He did improve his play in the USHL playoffs, helping the Gamblers to make it into the conference semifinals. In five playoff games, Gajan had a 2.86 goals against average, with a .901 save percentage. Gajan also joined the Slovakian World Junior team again for the World Junior Championships, where he posted a 2.50 goals against average, with a .916 save percentage in four games.
Gajan will be joining the University of Minnesota-Duluth for the 2024–25 season.
Roman Kantserov — 44th overall
(Photo courtesy of Terry Wyatt / Getty Images)
Nine picks after Gajan, Chicago went back to the forward prospect well, drafting Russian forward Roman Kantserov. Before being drafted, Kantserov had finished his third season in the MHL, the KHL minor league. In his 2022–23 MHL season, he had 54 points in 45 games. He did play one KHL game that season, but did not score a point in his lone appearance.
After being drafted, Kantserov was promoted to the KHL, where he spent an entire season with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. His season started slow, a trend with young players in the KHL. Considered the second-best hockey league in the world, the KHL and its teams have a reputation for refusing to play young players unless they are immense talents. Because of this, Kantserov was only able to amass 15 points in 53 regular season games.
Despite the lack of regular season play, the KHL playoffs is where Kantserov reigned. Kantserov had 13 points in 23 playoff games, proving to be a massive contributor to Metallurg’s Gagarin Cup victory.
Just how impressive was Kantserov’s playoff performance? His 13 playoff points were seventh in the KHL playoffs. At only 19 years old, Kantserov was the only player under the age of 21 in the top 20 in playoff points, and the only player under the age of 20 within the top 100.
Despite the incredible breakout playoff performance, the Blackhawks will have to wait for Kantserov to come over to the Western Hemisphere. Kantserov’s KHL contract will expire after the 2025–26 season. This means that Chicago will have to wait a few more seasons to bring Kantserov to the states. Thankfully, Kantserov will only be 22 years old at the start of the 2026–27 season, so there will be plenty of time to see what he can do.
Martin Misiak — 55th overall
(Photo courtesy of Jeep Dicioccio / Dicioccio Media)
With their third second-round pick in the 2023 draft, the Blackhawks drafted forward Martin Misiak. Considered more of a two-way center when drafted, Misiak split time in his draft year between Slovakia and the USHL.
After being drafted by Chicago, Martin joined the Erie Otters in the OHL. While with the Otters, Misiak scored 47 points in 60 games. In four playoff games, Misiak scored two points, and the Otters were eliminated in the first round of the OHL playoffs by the Kitchener Rangers.
Misiak also joined Gajan with Slovakia in the World Juniors. He played three games in the World Juniors, failing to score a point.
Near the end of the 2023–24 season, Misiak was signed by the Rockford IceHogs to an amateur tryout. He only played one game with Rockford, not scoring a point in his lone game.
On May 28, the Blackhawks signed Misiak to an entry-level contract, which will start next year and will run through the 2026–27 season.
Nick Lardis — 67th overall
(Photo courtesy of the CHL)
With their first pick in the third round, the Hawks drafted forward Nick Lardis. Lardis spent his draft season in the OHL, splitting the season between the Peterborough Petes and the Hamilton Bulldogs. In 69 regular season games between the teams, he recorded 65 points. Lardis recorded 10 playoff points for the Bulldogs in six playoff games that season.
Lardis also joined the Canadian World Juniors team that season, where he scored four goals in seven games.
After being drafted, Lardis returned to the OHL, joining the Brantford Bulldogs. Playing only 37 regular season games due to a wrist injury, Lardis still scored 50 points. In six playoff games with the Bulldogs, Lardis scored eight points.
In April, Lardis signed an entry-level contract with the Blackhawks. His contract runs through the 2026–27 season. During this time, Lardis also signed an amateur tryout contract with Rockford. With Rockford, he played only one game, scoring no points.
Jiri Felcman — 93rd overall
With the 93rd pick in the draft, Chicago took another center prospect in Jiri Felcman. Felcman spent his draft year with the Langnau U20 team of the Swiss National League. In 40 regular season games, he scored 31 points. In nine playoff games, he scored eight points.
During his draft year, Felcman also joined the Czechia U18 team for the World Junior Championship and the International Junior Games. In the World Juniors, Felcman scored two points in five games. In the International Junior Games, he scored five points in 23 games.
After being drafted by the Blackhawks, Felcman returned to Langnau, splitting time with the U20 team and the SCL Tigers. With the U20 team, Felcman scored 23 points in 26 games. With the Tigers, Felcman scored one point in five games. Felcman was also given to to the Bellinzona Rockets of the Swiss Professional League on loan. In 13 games with the Rockets, Felcman scored four points.
Felcman once again returned to the Czechia team, joining both the U19 and U20 teams during the International Junior Games. On the U19 team, he scored four points in eight games, while scoring two points in eight games with the U20 team.
In late March, Felcman was signed to an amateur tryout by the IceHogs, however, he never played a game with them last season.
Currently, Felcman is signed to a three-year deal with the SCL Tigers, which will run until the 2026–27 season. At only 19 years old, Felcman will be 22 when his contract expires.
Alex Pharand — 99th overall
(Photo courtesy of Natalie Shaver / OHL)
In the beginning of the fourth round, Chicago drafted forward prospect Alex Pharand. In his draft year, Pharand played with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL. In 67 regular season games with Sudbury, Pharand scored 39 points. He also spent time with the Canadian U18 team in the World Junior Championships, scoring one point in seven games.
After being drafted, Pharand returned to Sudbury, scoring 30 points in 68 regular season games. In the OHL playoffs, he scored three points in nine games.
In late April, Pharand was signed to an amateur tryout with the IceHogs, but did not appear in a game with the club.
As of now, it appears the plan is to have Pharand return to the Wolves for the 2024–25 season.
Marcel Marcel — 131st overall
(Photo courtesy of Dominic Charette / Gatineau Olympiques)
With the 131st pick of the draft, the Blackhawks took the most interestingly named prospect available. Chicago selected forward Marcel Marcel out of the QMJHL. In his draft year, Marcel scored 32 points in 52 games with the Gatineau Olympiques. Marcel also spent time with the Czechia U20 team in both the World Juniors and the International Junior Games. In the World Juniors, he scored six points in seven games. In the Junior Games, Marcel scored eight points in 12 games.
After being drafted, Marcel was immediately sent to Rockford. In 26 games with the IceHogs, Marcel scored five points. In March, Marcel was sent to the Indy Fuel of the ECHL, where he scored three points in six games.
Marcel will likely spend the 2024–25 season in Rockford, with hopes that he can rise up in the depth chart and have a bigger impact with the team.
Milton Oscarson — 167th overall
In the sixth round of the draft, the Blackhawks continued their run on forward prospects, drafting Milton Oscarson. Oscarson split his draft year between the Orebro HK J20 team and the Orebro HK of the SHL. With the J20 team, he scored 10 points in 10 games. In the SHL, Oscarson scored three points in 45 regular season games, while scoring six points in 13 playoff games.
Like many other Chicago prospects, Oscarson joined his nations junior team, joining the Swedish U20 team in the World Juniors and International Junior Games. In the World Juniors, Oscarson scored two points in seven games, while scoring four points in 11 games in the International Junior Games.
After being drafted, Oscarson returned to the Orebro HK, scoring nine points in 51 regular season games. In three playoff games with Orebro, Oscarson scored zero points. He also joined the Swedish international team, playing seven games, with zero points.
As of now, it looks like Oscarson will return to Orebro HK for another season.
Janne Peltonen — 195th overall
With their last draft pick of the 2023 draft, the Blackhawks took their only defenseman of the draft in Janne Peltonen. Peltonen split 2022–23 between the Karpat U18 and U20 teams. With the U18 team, Peltonen scored three points in six regular season games, while scoring one point in five playoff games. With the U20 team, he scored nine points in 40 games. Peltonen also played for the Finnish International Junior Games team, scoring four points in 14 games.
After being drafted by the Hawks, Peltonen returned to the Karpat U20 team, scoring 15 points in 46 regular season games. In five playoff games with the U20 team, he scored one point. During the season, Peltonen joined the Karput in the Liiga league, playing two regular season games without scoring a point.
During the season, Peltonen once again joined the Finnish International Junior Games team, splitting time between the U19 and U20 teams. With the U19 team, Peltonen played four games, failing to score a point, With the U20 team, he scored four points in nine games.
Peltonen will likely return to Karput in the Liiga league for the 2024–25 season.
Recap
Of the 11 selections by Chicago, three have signed entry-level contracts (Bedard, Misiak, Lardis). Five prospects spent time with Chicago’s AHL affiliate (Misiak, Lardis, Felcman, Pharand, Marcel) with three of them suiting up for the IceHogs (Misiak, Lardis, Marcel). Of the 11 selections, most are years from joining the Blackhawks, either due to contractual obligations or where they are in their development.
There is a decent amount of hope for this draft class, but with hope comes patience. Prospects like Moore, Gajan, Kantserov, and Misiak have the chance to become positive contributors to the organization for years to come, but that contribution will be the product of front office patience, careful development and a clear line of communication between the Blackhawks and the clubs in charge of these young players.