Blackhawks 1st-round pick Mason West must dazzle on the ice, not the gridiron

The Chicago Blackhawks took a massive gamble when the team traded back into the first round to select Mason West with the 29th pick.

It was not because he was such a raw prospect.

The risk is that West could still decide to play football, as he is considered a D-I college football quarterback prospect. West is a two-sport star athlete at Edina High School in Minnesota, who has maintained all summer that he is committed to playing hockey after the conclusion of Edina's football season. He plans on joining the USHL's Fargo Force.

The threat of him being pulled to college football will always exist when he continues to amaze on the gridiron like he recently did during the first game of his senior season.

You can see why some Division I programs are still trying to convince him to ditch hockey and stick to the gridiron with his amazing arm talent.

It would be better for the Blackhawks if West was setting the social media world on fire with his amazing skills on the ice.

While it is great to see West excel in football, it would be great to see his hockey highlights set the world on fire. There is nothing wrong with having players who have a diverse athletic background. Playing football has boosted West's vision on the ice with how he has to scan the field in football.

Still, it would be nice to see West making wonderful passes on the ice that set the sports world on fire, not the football field.

Now this is great press for West. I do not want to come across as ripping a young man enjoying his final year of high school. I am just looking forward to him hopefully thriving in Fargo and growing as a hockey player.

The Hawks will have to deal with his football exploits until he signs his entry-level contract. Until he does, there will also be that possibility football could draw him away from the ice.

While he is committed to playing hockey at Michigan State, do not think for a second that a portion of the Spartans fan base will be pushing for him to give quarterback a try.

If he does struggle playing Big 10 hockey, you got to wonder if he decides to give football another try.

West is worth the risk

Dealing with this football stress is definitely worth it because of how exciting his on-ice potential is.

He not only could give the Hawks lineup some desperately needed size with his 6-foot-6 frame, but he is a highly skilled player. This is not a player destined to be some goon.

No wonder general manager Kyle Davidson wanted to take such a huge swing on drafting a potential stud.

It is great to see Davidson take such a massive swing to acquire a potential impact player. If West reaches his high ceiling, he could be a major superstar. He could join the team at the end of the decade just as the Hawks are ready to contend for a Stanley Cup.

If he does play great for the Spartans on the ice, the celebration of West's football accolades will eventually fade. Until he signs his first contract with the Blackhawks, his football exploits will always create the faint possibility that he never skates a game for Chicago.