Blackhawks Prospect Update

Every now and then I’ll be posting updates on some of the more notable Hawks prospects in the AHL, CHL and NCAA. For more updates on AHL prospects, I recommend you check out The Third Man In, which provides great coverage of the Rockford Icehogs.

AHL

Brandon Pirri (F) is having a terrific year. He leads the Icehogs with 10 goals and 23 points in 24 games. At this rate, Pirri could compete for a spot on the Hawks next year or he could be a valuable trade piece at some point this season with Marcus Kruger already filling the secondd line center spot on the Hawks.

Jeremy Morin (F)  is having a fairly strong season down in Rockford. In 22 games with the Rockford Icehogs he has 5 goals and 9 assists. Morin’s development was sidetracked after missing most of last season with a concussion, which is why he’s likely to spend then entire season in the AHL and compete for an NHL roster spot in next year’s training camp.

Jimmy Hayes (F) is adjusting to the pro game well. In 22 games he has 4 goals and 11 asissts and is a plus-2. The word is that Hayes is still learning to use his 6’5″ frame effectively.

Shawk LaLonde (D) has had a very rough start to his season. Through 22 games he has only 1 goal and 2 assists and is a minus-2.  However, LaLonde’s play has picked up of late. He was a third star in last nights’ win over the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Dylan Olsen (D) is having a difficult time this season offensively. He is pointless in 21 games and is a minus-4. However, Olsen has been drawing some tough defensive assignments and has recently been playing top pair minutes with Brian Connelly.

Kyle Beach (F) had a very good start to the year but suffered an unfortunate shoulder injury and will likely miss the rest of the season. Beach had 3 goals and 3 assists in 8 games.

Alexander Salak (G) hasn’t exactly flourished in the AHL as everyone had expected he would. He has a 3-6-0 record to go along with a 3.06 goals against average and a 0.893 save percentage.

CHL

Mark McNeill (F) had slow start to the season with the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL, averaging less than a point per game. However, he’s picked up the pace recently and currently has 14 goals and 19 assists in 32 games and is a minus-3. McNeill was invited to Team Canada’s selection camp for the 2012 World Junior Championships.

Phillip Danault (F) has been very strong thus far in the season with the Victoraville Tigres of the QMJHL. In 28 games he has 6 goals and 25 assists and is a plus-5. Danault was invited to Team Canada’s selection camp for the 2012 World Junior Championships.

Brandon Saad (F) had an explosive start to his season with the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL after returning from his brief stint with the Hawks, registering 18 points in 8 games. Unfortunately, Saad was derailed by a shoulder injury. He was just recently returned and currently has 10 goals and 11 assists in 12 games and is a plus-4. Saad was invited to  Team USA’s selection camp for the 2012 World Junior Championships.

Mac Carruth (G) is having a strong season with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. He has a 19-9-1 record with a 2.91 goals against average and a 0.906 save percentage. He was also involved in a fight on November 27th that can be viewed here.

Ludvig Rensfedlt (F) came over from Sweden to play with the Sarnia Sting of the OHL. So far its been an easy transition. He has 1o goals and 12 assists in 29 games and is a plus-4. Rensfeldt was invited to Team Sweden’s selection camp for the 2012 World Junior Championships.

Johan Mattson (G) also came over from Sweden to play with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL. Mattson has an 11-5-0 record with a 3.15 goals against average and a 0.907 save percentage. Mattson was invited to Team Sweden’s selection camp for the 2012 World Junior Championships.

Blackhawks prospect Joakim Nordstrom from AIK of the SEL was also invited to Team Sweden’s selection camp for the 2012 World Junior Championships.

NCAA

Adam Clendening (D) is having a big year at Boston University. In 16 games he has 1 goal and 11 assists and has an even rating. Considered one of the top offensive defenseman in the NCAA, Clendening was invited to Team USA’s selection camp for the 2012 World Junior Championships and is considered a lock to make the team.

Stephen Johns (D), considered to be the most physical defensive prospect for the Hawks, is having a solid year at Notre Dame. He has 2 goals and 4 assists in 20 games and has an even rating. Johns was invited to Team USA’s selection camp for the 2012 World Junior Championships.

Kevin Hayes (F) is flourishing in his expanded role at Boston College after the departure of his brother Jimmy. He has 4 goals and 11 assists in 18 games. Kevin will likely spend another year or two in the NCAA developing his game.

Justin Holl (D) is having a good year and the University of Minnesota. He has 2 goals and 5 assists in 20 games. Nick Leddy taking on a full-time job with the Hawks opened up more minutes for Holl, who plays a very similar two-way style.

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