Chicago Blackhawks: Importance of Traverse City Prospect Tournament

The Traverse City Prospect Tournament will be a great opportunity for Chicago Blackhawks’ prospects to impress management.

The Traverse City Prospect Tournament, hosted by the Detroit Red Wings, is in its 21st season as a preseason showcase of some of the best prospects in the NHL.

There are eight teams participating in this year’s tournament: Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and New York Rangers.

A lot of importance will be placed on the tournament by Blackhawks’ management due to its proximity to the regular season.

This tournament gives players an incredible chance to standout before NHL training camp starts on September 15th.

The Blackhawks won the tournament in 2017 and should be releasing their roster soon for the 2019 tournament.

In last year’s tournament, prospects such as Dominik Kahun, Dylan Sikura, Henri Jokiharju, and Adam Boqvist headlined the team.

In recent years, prospects have emerged, ultimately landing themselves a spot on the opening night roster with the Blackhawks.

In 2017, Alex DeBrincat put his name on the map at the Traverse City Prospect Tournament before playing all 82 games with the Blackhawks that season and registering 52 points (28G, 24A).

On the latest “Blackhawks Talk Podcast”, Pat Boyle interviewed the Blackhawks VP of Hockey Operations, Al MacIsaac, who explained the importance of the Traverse City Prospect Tournament, referencing DeBrincat’s 2017 tournament appearance.

"“…younger group of players, but some of them will come out of Traverse City as DeBrincat did a couple years ago where he came out of Traverse City(,) people were like wow this kids a good player then he comes in here and makes the big team. We’re hoping one or two of those kids who go to Traverse City can do that.”"

It’s certain that Chicago Blackhawks’ prospects, like 2019 third overall pick, Kirby Dach, are eagerly awaiting the start of the tournament to make their case for a spot on the team’s roster.