After a busy weekend of CHL/USHL action, Chicago Blackhawks’ prospects continued their strong starts for their respective clubs. Nearly every Chicago prospect was in action over the weekend.
Defenseman Nicolas Beaudin is out indefinitely with a wrist fracture, as reported by the Drummondville Voltiguers. Beaudin was off to a hot start for Drummondville, collecting one goal and eight assists in nine games played this season.
Featured this week are two forwards and two defenseman. Forwards Philipp Kurashev and Mikael Hakkarainen were both major contributors for their teams. Defensemen Adam Boqvist and Jake Ryczek also had great weekends, contributing heavily on the scoresheet.
PHILIPP KURASHEV: 1 goal, 2 assists
Kurashev currently leads the Quebec Ramparts of the QMJHL in scoring through 16 games. Kurashev has five goals and 15 assists, two points better than the next Ramparts player.
Kurashev has been a pleasant surprise to this point for Quebec. The 2018 4th round pick continued his excellent start, collecting three points in two games against the Rimouski Oceanic.
Philipp Kurashev sending a shot on net on 10/28 against Rimouski. (Photo Credit: Jonathan Roy Photographe)
The 5’11” center picked up his lone goal of the weekend on Friday night in Quebec’s 3–1 win over Rimouski. Kurashev would follow that performance with two assists at home during Sunday night’s 5–2 victory. Quebec successfully swept the weekend’s action against Rimouski.
The Ramparts returns to action on Wednesday, Oct. 31 against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Quebec is also in action on Friday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 4 against Victoriaville and Gatineau, respectively.
MIKAEL HAKKARAINEN: 3 assists
Hakkarainen has been solid since leaving Providence College to return to the USHL. In only five games thus far, Hakkarainen has collected nine points (three goals, six assists) helping Muskegon to an 8–1 record.
Hakkarainen began the weekend collecting all three of his assists against Team USA and helping Muskegon to a 7–2 victory on Friday evening. Hakkarainen, albeit only playing in five of Muskegon’s nine game thus far, is fourth on the team in scoring and only trailing the lead scorer by one point.
Muskegon is back in action on Thursday, Nov. 1 against Team USA and on Saturday, Nov. 3 against the Chicago Steel.
ADAM BOQVIST: 1 goal
The 2018 8th overall pick continues to shine in London, as he has now collected 11 points in 11 games this season. Boqvist entered Friday’s action with 10 points through 10 games—all assists—with five of those assists coming in the last two games.
In London’s lone game, Boqvist was able to establish a career first, scoring his first OHL goal against the Ottawa 67’s.
Monkey off the back @BoqvistAdam 🚨@NHLBlackhawks prospect finds his first career #OHL goal with a big move and backhand for @GoLondonKnights. pic.twitter.com/zSTTOurTf3
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) October 27, 2018
Boqvist showed off his offensive skill, going hard to the net and dancing past the defender. Boqvist has been on fire in his last three games and seems to be gaining momentum as the season carries on.
The London Knights return to action on Friday, Nov. 2 against the Flint Firebirds. London plays Saturday, Nov. 3 and Sunday, Nov. 4 against the Owen Sound Attack and Kitchener Rangers, respectively.
JAKE RYCZEK: 1 goal, 2 assists
The 2016 7th round pick went into the weekend’s action on a two-game point streak, as the Halifax Mooseheads played a weekend home and home with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Ryczek kept his point streak alive, capping off the weekend with three points. Ryczek extended his streak to four games.
On Friday night, Ryczek collected one assist in Cape Breton, helping the Mooseheads to a 4–3 win. The assist marked Ryczek’s third straight game with an assist, giving him his seventh point of the season.
Saturday night’s action proved well for Ryczek, but not for the Mooseheads, as they dropped the tilt to Cape Breton 5–2. Ryczek’s goal and assist helped account for all scoring for Halifax in the loss. Ryczek’s eighth and ninth points of the season put him in a tie for sixth in scoring on Halifax. Ryczek is in a three-way tie with fellow defensemen Jared McIsaac and Justin Barron for sixth in scoring.
Honorable Mentions:
Alexis Gravel went 1–1 over the weekend as Halifax split the home and home with Cape Breton. Gravel is 9–4 with one shutout, a 2.93 GAA and a .911 save percentage this season. Gravel has stepped up big for Halifax early in the campaign and is proving that he is a prospect to watch for Blackhawks fans.
Other Prospects:
- Mackenzie Entwistle — 1 assist
- Josiah Slavin — 4 shots on goal
Signing News:
The Chicago Blackhawks announced the signing of Brandon Hagel to a three-year, max entry-level contract. The contract will pay $925K AAV.
Hagel has had a hot start to his season for the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL. Hagel has 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 15 games, which seats him in third place on the WHL points list. Hagel adds some size to the Blackhawks’ prospect pool, which after the last two drafts, has lacked some size. He stands at 6’1” and weights 174 lbs.
Hagel is coming off an incredible weekend of his own, registering two goals and three assists in two games. Hagel had a two-goal outing against the Saskatoon Blades on Friday evening. Hagel followed that performance up by collecting three assists against the Kootenay Ice. Red Deer won both games by scores 4–3 and 8–5, respectively.
Red Deer will return to action for one game this upcoming weekend against the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday, Nov. 3.
Signed on! Forward Brandon Hagel has inked a 3-year entry-level deal that runs through the 2020-21 season ($925,000/AAV).
The forward will continue to play for the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL.https://t.co/uZaRk9IynS
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 30, 2018
Keep up with The-Rink for extensive CHL/USHL coverage of Chicago Blackhawks prospects.