Another Chicago Blackhawks prospect wins the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year

The Chicago Blackhawks drafted last year's Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

They already drafted this year's winner.

Sam Rinzel, the Blackhawks' 2022 first-round pick, was named the Big Ten's top blueliner a season after Artyom Levshunov won the honors.

The hope is that Rinzel joins Levshunov in the NHL soon to form a top defensive pairing that gets the Blackhawks back to the playoffs.

However, it is unknown when Minnesota's season will end as they are likely headed to the NCAA Tournament.

If the Golden Gophers make a run to the Frozen Four, there will not be enough time for Rinzel to sign his entry-level contract and get his cup of coffee with the team.

Rinzel has come a long way since being a high-risk, high-reward choice the team made with the third of three first-round picks they had in the 2022 draft.

The Hawks took defenseman Kevin Korchinski and forward Frank Nazar with the other two first-rounders. All three picks the Blackhawks got came via some shrewd trades.

The Hawks had to give up Alex DeBrincat, Kirby Dach, and take on Petr Mrazek's contract, but all three of those deals allowed the Hawks to add the franchise's second through fourth-ranked prospects according to the Athletic (a subscription is required to access content linked)

All three could be foundational players of the next great Hawks team.

Nazar is already on the NHL roster and looks to be a future star. Korchinski showed some promise last season during his rookie campaign, but he also needed some time in the AHL to refine his game where he is currently playing.

Expect Rinzel to likely go to Rockford next season if he signs his ELC. If he follows the same path as
Levshunov, who won the same award last year at Michigan State, then Rinzel is likely looking at late season debut next year.

Rinzel had a great season for the Gophers with 10 goals and 21 assists to earn the honors.

Rinzel's teammate, forward Oliver Moore, is also a former Blackhawks first-round pick. He was the other first-round selection in the 2023 draft when the Hawks selected Connor Bedard No. 1 overall.

Moore did not receive any honors despite scoring 12 goals and registering 20 assists.