Three of the eight 2018 draft picks made by the Chicago Blackhawks will play college hockey next season and beyond
2017-18 was a successful season for the Chicago Blackhawks prospects in college hockey, and hopefully that trend doesn’t stop any time soon. It will be tough with defensemen Blake Hillman and Dennis Gilbert signing pro contracts after their junior-year seasons, as well as forward Dylan Sikura graduating from Northeastern and signing with the Blackhawks. But reinforcements are on the way.
At the 2018 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks selected three players who have committed to NCAA programs. Third round selection Jake Wise will play for Boston University, fifth-rouder Mikael Hakkarainen will play for Providence, and seventh-round pick Josiah Slavin will suit up for the Colorado College Tigers after next season.
Wise is attending one of the most prestigious college hockey programs in the country in Boston University. Although David Quinn has moved on taking a job with the New York Rangers, his development won’t miss a beat under Albie O’Connell.
Hakkarainen will also be in Hockey East, a very tough division in college hockey. Providence is a young team where Hakkarainen will get some great experience under head coach Nate Leaman. He could’ve played with fellow Blackhawks prospect Jake Ryczek, but he ended up leaving school to play for the Halifax Mooseheads.
Slavin will return to the Lincoln Stars of the USHL for another season to develop before he heads to Colorado Springs to play for Colorado of the NCHC. He will be playing under head coach Mike Haviland, a former Blackhawks assistant coach.
Blackhawks prospects remaining in college hockey for next season are the following players:
- Evan Barratt, Penn State
- Liam Coughlin, Vermont
- Josh Ess, Wisconsin
- Parker Foo, Union College
- Chad Krys, Boston University
- Jake Massie, Vermont
- Ian Mitchell, University of Denver
- Fredrik Olofsson, University of Omaha-Nebraska
- Jack Ramsey, University of Minnesota
- Ryan Shea, Northeastern University
- Beau Starrett, Cornell University
Here are some details and video on the new Blackhawks headed to the NCAA, as well as links to their player profiles by our own Eric Andrews.
Jake Wise – C – Freshman at Boston University – 2018 3rd Rd. Pick
North Andover, MA – 5’10 – 189lbs – Shoots Left – U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
2017-18 stats: 38GP, 11G, 32A, 6PIM, +5
Mikael Hakkarainen – C – Freshman at Providence – 2018 5th Rd. Pick
Helsinki, Finland – 6’0 – 183lbs – Shoots Left – Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
2017-18 stats: 36GP, 15G, 31A, 16PIM, +7
Draft Pick Profile: Mikael Hakkarainen
Josiah Slavin – LW – Colorado College (2019) – 2018 7th Rd. Pick
Erie, CO – 6’2 – 182lbs – Shoots Left – Lincoln Stars (USHL)
2017-18 stats: 60GP, 23G, 19A, 30PIM, +27
Draft Pick Profile: Josiah Slavin