Welcome back to another season of college hockey! The Chicago Blackhawks NCAA Campus Report is dedicated to keeping you updated with all the news from the Hawks prospects playing NCAA hockey. We will be providing you with highlights, stats, and news related media to keep you up to speed all year on the Blackhawks prospect system.
This week was highlighted by University of Nebraska-Omaha’s Fredrik Olofsson earning five assists in two games and 2018 draft pick Mikael Hakkarainen leaving Providence College to return to the USHL.
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Evan Barratt – Forward – Penn State University
Entering year two of his college hockey career, the Nittany Lions have a lot of hope in Blackhawks prospect Evan Barratt to help lift the program. As a freshman in college hockey, there is some getting used to as far as pace which Barratt became much more comfortable with towards the end of last season. He has the opportunity to be a serious difference-maker, especially on the powerplay for Penn State this season.
https://twitter.com/PatrickBurns_/status/1050898254379053056
In his first two games against Clarkson, Barratt had just one assist but generated good opportunities. His work ethic and commitment to driving to the net will most likely reward him in production this season. The Nittany Lions are now 2-0 and will play Niagara at home next weekend.
"At the end of the day we know collectively as a team what we want to achieve, so each day we come to the rink we need to work toward that goal," – sophomore forward @BarrattEvan #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/mkRqsYA003
— Penn State Men’s Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) September 25, 2018
Fredrik Olofsson – Forward – University of Nebraska-Omaha
Olofsson opted to return to UNO for this senior season in 2018-19 and will get another year of experience at the center position. He is playing in between junior forwards Tristan Keck and Zach Jordan who both netted goals in double digits last season. Olofsson was also named an alternate captain for the Mavericks this year.
Over the weekend, Olofsson had a strong performance in the Mavericks series against Union College despite the team’s 0-1-1 result. On Friday night, Olofsson had two assists and was 3-for-12 at the faceoff circle. Saturday, he had three assists and went 3-for-7 at the dot. The Mavericks host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish next weekend in Omaha.
Josh Ess – Defenseman – University of Wisconsin
Josh ess and the Wisconsin Badgers started their season with a bang sweeping the Boston College Eagles this weekend. Ess is playing on the third pairing with freshman Ty Emberson, a 2018 3rd round selection of the Arizona Coyotes. Ess has proven to be reliable for the Badgers who are looking for a bounce-back season. The Badgers defense features Florida Panthers prospect Tyler Inamoto and 2018 Rangers 1st round pick K’Andre Miller. The Badgers travel to the east coast next weekend to play Clarkson and St. Lawrence.
#BadgerOfTheDay: Josh Ess, So., D, Lakeville, MN, 2g, 2a, 4pts, shared team lead at plus-10 as a frosh, 2017-18 Dr. Joseph Coyne/Joe Pavelski Most Consistent award, 2017 Chicago Blackhawks draft pick. pic.twitter.com/srBnrahGDj
— Tony Granato (@TonyGranato) August 27, 2018
Parker Foo – Forward – Union College
Senior center Brett Supinski, Union's best playmaker, back in the lineup after missing the season opener with an injury. No sign of Parker Foo, who coach Rick Bennett said has been ill.
— Mike MacAdam (@Mike_MacAdam) October 12, 2018
Ryan Shea – Defenseman – Northeastern University
The Northeastern Huskies lost a lot of talent with Blackhawks prospect Dylan Sikura and Hobey Baker winner Adam Gaudette leaving for the pros, but they’re still looking to be competitive in Hockey East. Ryan Shea is starting the season paired on the second line with captain Eric Williams. Shea was selected to be an alternate captain for the Huskies this season.
Mikael Hakkarainen – Forward – Providence College
It has been reported that Blackhawks 2018 5th round draft pick Mikael Hakkarainen is leaving Providence College and returning to the USHL to play for the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Hakkarainen said that he didn’t enjoy managing classes and hockey, leaving college hockey after just one game. It’s interesting to note that Blackhawks defenseman Jake Ryczek also left the Providence program last season after a handful of games to return to the QMJHL.
Chicago Blackhawks prospect Mikael Hakkarainen (a freshman) leaves Providence per @MarkDivver – https://t.co/iwLkjQnGdj
— Mike McMahon (@MikeMcMahonCHN) October 10, 2018
Ian Mitchell – Defenseman – University of Denver
Mitchell has a lot on his plate this season at Denver but he has embraced the opportunity. With seniors Tarik Hammond and Adam Plant graduating to the pros, Mitchell is heading into his sophomore season with a lot of responsibility on the back end. His teammates selected him as an alternate captain for the Pioneers.
This past weekend, Mitchell and the Pioneers beat Air Force then shut out the University of Alabama-Huntsville for their homecoming game on Saturday. Mitchell had a nice powerplay goal Friday, sniping Air Force goaltender Billy Christopolous from the top of the circle. The Pioneers host the University of Alaska-Fairbanks next weekend.
.@IanMitch15 with an absolute snipe on the PP. Pios up 2-0 almost halfway through the 1st against Air Force. pic.twitter.com/3tyYESBy4S
— LetsGoDU (@LetsGoDU) October 13, 2018
Jake Wise – Forward – Boston University
The Boston University Terriers had a difficult weekend getting swept by the Minnesota-State Mavericks. In his first two college hockey games, Jake Wise didn’t register any points, but he is playing on BU’s top line with Bobo Carpenter and Buffalo Sabres prospect Max Willman. It’s safe to say that there will be plenty more opportunities for him to score this season. The Terriers host the US Under-18 Team and travel to Merrimack next weekend.
Honorable Mentions – Jake Massie & Liam Coughlin – Vermont
Last weekend, Vermont went on the road to Michigan and beat the top-ranked Wolverines. On the year, Coughlin has two assists and Massie has one. The two upper-classmen look to lead the Catamounts to a better season in Hockey East. Vermont doesn’t play for two weeks when they travel to New Hampshire and Brown.