Marek Vanacker can show his "big power forward" potential in first pro season

The Chicago Blackhawks have a plethora of prospects that will be closely looked at next season, and one that is probably going a bit under the radar is Marek Vanacker.

The 20 year old is predicted to start with the Rockford IceHogs next season, but as a former first-round draft pick, he is someone who is looking to climb the ranks rather quickly.

Vanacker's standout OHL season

Vanacker was a revelation last season, which was encouraging for him because when the Blackhawks drafted him in 2024, he was dealing with a shoulder injury that required surgery at the end of his season.

But he continued to get stronger the past two seasons with the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL. He returned from recovery with 42 points in 45 games in 2024-25, and then last season, he had 82 points in 60 games, notching a career-high in goals (47). He led the OHL in goals, and his 82 points were only two behind Brantford teammate Caleb Malhotra, who was the third overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

So, Vanacker's value is significant.

What can be expected from Vanacker

Rockford missed the Calder Cup Playoffs last season, and there was a lot of up and down with them, and more prospects made their way to the Blackhawks. Their leading goal-scorer was Nick Lardis (18) and captain Brett Seney led in points (51).

So, Vanacker can help bring more depth to the scoresheet, as well as more of a snarl. He was asked what the biggest attribute of his game was at Blackhawks development camp in July: "I think just being a big power forward. Using kind of my 200-foot game, my ability to score and make plays, as well. But yeah, just kind of being tenacious on the ice."

Those are the attributes he will look to eventually bring to the Blackhawks as well. But first, the focus is on how he will transition to the pro level. Mark Eaton (Assistant general manager, player development) was asked about Vanacker's readiness to turn pro at development camp:

"I thought he had a great year last year. A lot of times, young players learning the type of player that they are, it takes a little while, but Marek knows exactly the type of player he is. Kind of that bulldog mentality. He goes to the hard areas, scores a majority of his goals right around the net front, and that's not going to change regardless of the level that he's at. So again, it's going to be harder to get to those areas as you progress through the pro ranks, so just continuing to add the power and the strength to his game, which will add a little pep to his stride as well, to get to those areas just a half second quicker is what makes all the difference at the next level."

Vanacker could be a standout prospect

He is a prospect who can surprise next season. The Blackhawks traded up in the draft to take him because they loved his potential with the goal-scoring and competitiveness.

He can have a really nice training camp, and if he starts and does well in Rockford, he could be on the Blackhawks in the near future, and that's what he has his eyes set on.

He was teammates with Nick Lardis on Brantford, and Vanacker was asked about advice from him, "Yeah, I talked to him a little bit, and he was kind of just telling me to go out there and play your game, play how you've been playing, and yeah, so I think coming out of main camp, that's the goal, is to try to make the Blackhawks. But, yeah, if not, and I end up going to Rockford, it's kind of just the beginning. So you kind of just got to do what Lardy did. Go there, play my game, and hopefully get a call-up."

He will also likely be joined in Rockford by other tenacious prospects like A.J. Spellacy, which will be fun to watch, as those scrappy, skilled forwards can be an asset to the Blackhawks' future.

And considering the OHL season he had, he's worth monitoring.

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