The college hockey season is in full swing and the Blackhawks should be happy with the development with their NCAA prospects. Many of them started the season with letters on their jerseys and are now backing it up with points.
I was lucky enough to sit next to an NHL scout this weekend at the University of Denver game against Western Michigan. He me some great insight on what NHL teams are looking for in amateur players. He emphasized that good players will play no matter their size, and that skating is everything.
Although the Blackhawks prospects are putting up some good numbers at the collegiate level, they are also bring different things to the table which is why Blackhawks fans should be excited about the future.
Evan Barratt – Forward – Penn State University – 3G, 7A, +6
Photo courtesy of gopsusports.com
It was quite the weekend for Evan Barratt and the Nittany Lions. Penn State and Arizona State split their series with both games being decided by one goal. Barratt picked up a pair of goals and an assist giving him an impressive 10 points in seven games, tied for the team lead.
Barratt was featured on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top Plays showing his incredible wrap-around goal. It’s not often that college hockey plays get on ESPN but this goal was quite special.
Penn State plays a home-and-home with Robert Morris next weekend.
👀👀👀 @BarrattEvan @ESPNAssignDesk @Buccigross #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/Jy1zL1nNEH
— Penn State Men’s Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) November 4, 2018
Fredrik Olofsson – Forward – University of Nebraska-Omaha – 2G, 7A, -6
Photo courtesy of omavs.com
The Omaha Mavericks finally got in the win column this weekend, splitting the series with the Miami University RedHawks. Fredrik Olofsson continued his hot start adding a goal and an assist to his total on the year.
Olofsson scored another powerplay goal by creating space for himself on the right side and sniping a top corner. On tape, Olofsson looks a lot more comfortable skating the puck up the ice and distributing it to his wings. In his second full season playing the center position, he’s showing good development and productivity despite the Mavericks record.
The Mavs travel to Kalamazoo Michigan next weekend to take on the Western Michigan Broncos.
Freddy Olofsson starts a 🌊 of @OmahaHKY scoring in the second period. The Mavericks lead Miami 4-2 headed to the 3rd period. pic.twitter.com/s7Riedg7px
— Omaha Video (@OmahaVID) November 4, 2018
Ian Mitchell – Defenseman – University of Denver – 1G, 7A, +4
Photo courtesy of JJ Seaward
The University of Denver Pioneers always get a handful of top recruits every year so it can be hard to stand out at times. But sophomore Ian Mitchell is showing noticeable growth in his game. This past weekend against division rivals Western Michigan, Mitchell earned four assists and made some highlight reel plays.
Mitchy put it on a platter 🍽️ #PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/P4OCm4WeCG
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) November 3, 2018
After the game Saturday night, we caught up with Mitchell who talked about the growth of his game and how he’s stepped into a leadership role on the Pioneers.
Denver travels to St. Cloud next weekend to battle the Huskies in a big NCHC showdown.
.@DU_Hockey defenseman @IanMitch15 on the growth of his game this season and facing @SCSUHUSKIES_MH next week #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/XAqzOsQFsX
— Aaron Goldschmidt (@lateinthegoldie) November 4, 2018
Chad Krys – Defenseman – Boston University – 1G, 3A, +3
The Terriers picked up their first win of the season this weekend against Northeastern in a home-and-home series. Chad Krys broke out in the second game adding three assists. Krys had a nice powerplay goal in Thursday night’s game but the Terriers tied with the Huskies.
Crazy game at Northeastern. 5-5 after BU’s Chad Krys (@NHLBlackhawks 2nd rounder) power play goal #CawlidgeHawkey pic.twitter.com/DFHqmDq48R
— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) November 2, 2018
Despite their slow start, Krys said in an interview with Boston University that he feels confident that the team will find their stride as the season goes on.
The Terriers play next Saturday at New Hampshire.
Check out the weekend preview with rinkside reporter @catherinebogart and junior Chad Krys. #GoBU pic.twitter.com/bed0eV0Yua
— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) November 1, 2018
Liam Coughlin & Jake Massie – University of Vermont
Coughlin and Massie are off to productive starts with four and three points in six games, respectively. The Catamounts are 3-3 after a tough series that they split with UConn.
Head coach Kevin Sneddon praised the play of Massie and Coughlin to get the game tied that Vermont ultimately won in overtime.
Vermont plays at Boston College next week.
Coach Sneddon’s postgame thoughts. #VCats #ThisIsVermont pic.twitter.com/gtrWawjvtH
— UVM Men's Hockey (@UVMmhockey) November 4, 2018