This past weekend was yet another good weekend for Blackhawks’ prospect action. Blackhawks’ 2018 1st round pick Nicolas Beaudin signed a three-year entry level contract over the weekend for max value. Beaudin also returned to action following a wrist injury, along with fellow 2018 1st round pick Adam Boqvist. The return was a welcomed sign for both their junior clubs and the Blackhawks as these two continue to develop.
Beaudin had an excellent return in two games this past weekend. Philipp Kurashev continues to pace the Quebec Remparts in scoring after three very good games. Mikael Hakkarainen and Josiah Slavin in the USHL also had strong showings this past weekend.
Kurashev and Hakkarainen are both showing they can dominate junior level talent. The two 2018 draft picks should be moving up to pro hockey next season to further their development. So far, these two look like the could be steals for their draft position. Beaudin also has showed well and could be a great value for Chicago in the near future.
NICOLAS BEAUDIN – DRUMMONDVILLE VOLTIGEURS – 1 GOAL, 2 ASSISTS
After returning to game action for the first time since October 19th, Nicolas Beaudin had a great weekend both on and off the ice. Off the ice, Beaudin signed his first professional contract with the Blackhawks. He joins fellow 2018 1st round pick Adam Boqvist as the first two 2018 Chicago draft picks under contract. On the ice, Beaudin showed why Chicago selected him in the late part of the first round this past draft.
Excited to sign my first NHL contract with the @NHLBlackhawks . I would like to thank my friends, teammates, coaches and especially my family for their sacrifice, commitment and support. pic.twitter.com/gr7cZzRdlP
— Nicolas Beaudin (@NicBeaudin92) November 10, 2018
On November 9th against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Beaudin registered one goal and one assist, helping the Voltigeurs to a commanding 8-1 victory. Beaudin was the highest scoring defenseman for Drummondville during the contest.
Beaudin celebrates a goal after returning to action for the first time since mid-October. Photo: Ghyslain Bergeron
The following day, Beaudin picked up an assist against the Victoriaville Tigres. Despite adding to his excellent weekend on the scoresheet, Drummondville dropped the game 5-1 in Victoriaville.
Beaudin and the Voltigeurs return to action on Friday, November 16th in Gatineau, followed by Sherbrooke on Sunday, November 18th. The two games mark the second and third straight away games for Drummondville, who will play another three road games before returning home on November 30th.
PHILIPP KURASHEV – QUÉBEC REMPARTS – 3 GOALS, 3 ASSISTS
Kurashev had an incredible weekend for Québec. After being held off the score-sheet on November 6th, Kurashev made up for it in the following two games.
Québec’s first game of the trip against val-d’Or did not fair well for the Remparts, as they dropped the contest 8-4. However, Kurashev had a goal and two assists, which was a commanding performance for the 2018 4th round pick.
The following game resulted in a huge win for Québec, taking down the Shawinigan Cataractes 7-2 in Shawinigan. Kurashev had another three point performance, this time, recording two goals and one assist. This game capped off two excellent games for Kurashev where he recorded six points (three goals, three assists).
Kurashev and the Remparts return to action on Friday, November 16th against Shawinigan in Québec. They will remain at home as the Rimouski Océanic pay a visit on Sunday, November 18th.
MIKAEL HAKKARAINEN – MUSKEGON LUMBERJACKS – 3 GOALS, 2 ASSISTS
Hakkarainen continued his now four game point streak over the weekend for Muskegon in back to back home games against Youngstown.
On November 9th, Hakkarainen recorded his first hat trick of the season, helping the Lumberjacks to a big 8-2 win over the Phantoms. Hakkarainen would also add on an assist to cap off the impressive four point performance.
Hakk-Trick! 🎩🎩🎩 #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/iHLa3VtCeo
— USHL (@USHL) November 10, 2018
Hakkarainen would tack on an assist the following day as Muskegon split the weekend series with Youngstown. The Phantoms won game two 4-3. Hakkarainen now has 17 points in only nine game for Muskegon. Muskegon sits six points ahead of the next closest team in the USHL eastern conference standings with two games in hand.
🚨Jacks improve to 11-1 and win 8-2! #HakkTrick 🎩🎩🎩 #HakkIsBack pic.twitter.com/urbJ8OTfBq
— Muskegon Lumberjacks (@MuskegonJacks) November 10, 2018
Muskegon returns to action on Saturday, November 17th against Cedar Rapids. With only one game next weekend, the Lumberjacks will play three games over the extended Thanksgiving holiday (21st – 24th) against Team USA and two games against Green Bay.
JOSIAH SLAVIN – LINCOLN STARS – 1 GOAL, 2 ASSISTS
Despite going pointless in Lincoln’s first two games of the weekend, Slavin made his presence felt on Sunday, November 11th as he collected two assists against Tri-City. Slavin has now increased his point total to 14 for the season in 14 games.
Lincoln will play two games next weekend. Friday, November 16th they take on Sioux Falls in Lincoln. On Saturday, November 17th, the Stars take on the Waterloo Black Hawks in Waterloo. Lincoln will play a similar schedule to that of Muskegon during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Other:
- Alexis Gravel – Halifax Mooseheads – 1 Win
- Brandon Hagel – Red Deer Rebels – 1 Goal, 1 Assist
- Adam Boqvist – London Knights – 4 Shots on Goal