As the college hockey season gets underway, the Chicago Blackhawks prospects are starting to heat up. This week we feature a pair of sophomores and a pair of seniors that shined for their college hockey clubs. Evan Barratt, Ian Mitchell, Fredrik Olofsson, and Beau Starrett all made the score sheet even though their teams are off to different starts.
It’s interesting to see so many non-conference series to start the season in college hockey because there isn’t the element of familiarity. But as we enter November, teams will start to welcome bitter foes into their own barns which will ignite the competition level. This should be a fascinating season for Blackhawks prospects in college hockey with several of them having the potential to sign professional deals at season’s end.
Evan Barratt – Forward – Penn State University – 1G, 5A, +5
Photo courtesy of OnwardState.com
This weekend Penn State was host to Niagra and defeated them in both games by sizable margins. Friday night the Nittany Lions won 8-2, followed by a 4-1 Saturday night win. Evan Barratt had a great series scoring a goal and four assists.
In an article by The Daily Collegian, Jim Krueger describes Barratt’s contributions coming in the form of points and physicality:
“Beyond his scoring exploits, he was destructive force on the ice. His passing and scoring was complemented by his checking. He layed out several good hits, agitating the Niagara skaters.”
Barratt had this to say about the line of he, Liam Folkes, and Alex Limoges that has been coming up big for the Nittany Lions:
“I’m sure you guys can see on the ice how much fun we’re having,” Barratt said. “Every time, if it’s practice or a pregame skate or whatever it may be we’re so happy to be on the ice together.”
Penn State will host the Princeton Tigers next weekend.
Check out the highlights from Friday night's 8-2 victory over Niagara! Folkes and Larsson score twice to lead six players with multi-point efforts!! #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/0CoT2ZVE20
— Penn State Men’s Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) October 20, 2018
Fredrik Olofsson – Forward – University of Nebraska-Omaha – 1G, 5A, -7
Photo courtesy of the Omaha World-Herald
The Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks are starting their season a bit slow losing three of their first four games. This past weekend, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish didn’t give them much of a chance in South Bend beating UNO 4-1 and 8-2 in the two games series.
One bright spot for the Mavericks was a nice powerplay goal by Fredrik Olofsson. From the top of the circle, Olofsson ripped a wrist shot by the Notre Dame goaltender to even the game at 1-1.
Get that MINI ZAMBONI out! @OmahaHKY ties it up off the power play. pic.twitter.com/JuhVU4cvH7
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) October 19, 2018
After Saturday night’s game, Olofsson met with the media and was confident that the Mavericks can play with top teams like the Fighting Irish:
“I thought there was energy in the room, we were pretty dialed(in). It feels good when you know you can skate with good teams. I think it’s just that consistency over 60 minutes that will be the difference maker. But we felt good. We know we can play with them, we just can’t beat ourselves.”
News Conference: @OmahaHKY vs Notre Dame Game 2 pic.twitter.com/t4VuBeKD0k
— Omaha Video (@OmahaVID) October 21, 2018
Ian Mitchell – Defenseman – University of Denver – 1G, 3A, +4
After a solid start to the season getting wins against Air Force and Alabama-Huntsville, the Denver Pioneers were looking to get more points in the NCHC standings against the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. Friday night the Pios won 4-1, but Saturday the Nanooks tied the Pioneers in a game where Denver had to fight back from a 3-0 deficit after taking two major penalties.
Defenseman Ian Mitchell is starting to heat up earning three assists this past weekend. He set up defenseman Les Lancaster with a perfect pass that led to a one-timer that tied the game Saturday night.
Somebody call the bomb squad 💣💣💣 #PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/ue1an30hUI
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) October 21, 2018
The Pioneers are off next week but will host the Western Michigan Broncos the following weekend.
Powers Points: Blackhawks prospects encouraged by Henri Jokiharju’s early success
Beau Starrett – Forward – Cornell University
Cornell hasn’t started their regular season, but they are looking pretty good in the preseason. Beau Starrett had a beautiful goal against Guelph Sunday when he buried a perfect wrist shot on a 2-on-1 rush.
The Big Red begin their season next weekend when they host the Michigan State Spartans.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS from @CUBigRedHockey's 7-0 win over Guelph! #YellCornell pic.twitter.com/W825JD6CuR
— Cornell Video (@CornellVideo) October 21, 2018