It looks as if the Chicago Blackhawks will have another prospect to pay attention to in the Canadian Hockey League next season. On Thursday afternoon, the London Knights announced that Swedish defenseman and Blackhawks 2018 First Round pick Adam Boqvist would be leaving Brynas IF of the Swedish Hockey League to play for the Knights in the Ontario Hockey League next season. Boqvist was originally selected in the second round of the 2017 CHL Import Draft by the Knights.
Blackhawks First Rounder Adam Boqvist Heads To North America
After selecting Boqvist with the eighth overall pick in this last June’s NHL Entry Draft, the Blackhawks had a number of options with what to do with the 17-year old defenseman. Having been drafted out of Sweden and not on a CHL contract when drafted, Boqvist had the ability to either play in Sweden again next year, play for the Blackhawks in either the NHL or AHL, or head to the Knights in the Ontario Hockey League.
PLYMOUTH, MI – FEBRUARY 15: Adam Boqvist #3 of the Sweden Nationals turns up ice against the Finland Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 15, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
Much like when the Blackhawks drafted Teuvo Teravainen out of Jokerit Helsinki in Finland, having the ability to play the teenager in the AHL to help with development was there since he was not on a CHL contract when drafted. The Blackhawks decided it would be best to play him in the OHL with the Knights to help his development, since he will be just turning 18-years old in August.
Playing in the same organization as notable Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane and Dave Bolland, Boqvist comes to the Knights after a 2017-18 season in Sweden that saw him score 24 points (14G, 10A) in 25 games with Brynas IF J20 in the Swedish SuperElit league and skated in 15 games with Brynas IF in the SHL. Also, Boqvist was part of the bronze medal winning Swedish National Team in the U18 World Junior Championships, where Boqvist was named the best defenseman of the tournament.
Along with Boqvist joining the London Knights, the Chicago Blackhawks also have Henri Jokiharju (Portland/WHL), Nicolas Beaudin (Drummondville/QMJHL), Philipp Kurashev (Quebec/QMJHL), and Alexis Gravel (Halifax/QMJHL) that will be playing in the three major Canadian Hockey Leagues next season.