Four Chicago Blackhawks prospects make Team USA for upcoming World Juniors
By Todd Welter
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The current version of the Chicago Blackhawks do not look so good, but that does not mean the future is not bright.
The Blackhawks have the second-best farm system in the NHL according to the Athletic (paid subscription required)
The draft has already produced future cornerstone players in Connor Bedard and Kevin Korchinski. The early part of a rebuild might be tough to watch but general manager Kyle Davidson has loaded up on some immensely talented prospects. The key is getting them to sign their entry-level contract and then hope they do not turn out to be a bust.
The World Juniors are coming up and fans will get a chance to see some of the Blackhawks' top prospects skate in it. Four Hawks prospects have officially made Team USA.
Centers Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore, forward Gavin Hayes, and defenseman Sam Rinzel will represent the USA at the IIHF World Junior Championship that begins on December 26h.
Moore was the Hawks' other first-round pick in the most recent NHL Entry Draft. He is currently a freshman at Minnesota where has two goals and 10 assists on the season. The Athletic has Moore ranked as the Blackhawks' fourth-best prospect. He was considered one of the best and fastest skaters in the draft.
Nazar is the Hawks' fifth-best prospect according to the Athletic. He was the Hawks' second of three first-round selections in the 2022 draft. He is a sophomore at Michigan and has seven goals and ten assists on the season.
Hayes is skating for the OHL's Flint Firebirds. He leads his junior-level team with 36 points. He was a third-round pick in 2022. He is ranked as the Hawks 10th-best prospect.
Rinzel was the final first-round pick the Hawks had in 2022. He was taken purely on potential. He is the franchise's 13th-best prospect according to the Athletic. He is a freshman at Minnesota with 10 assists and recently scored his first collegiate goal.
Only Hayes has signed his entry-level contract.