Sam Dickinson Prospect Profile / Future Chicago Blackhawk?

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As the CHL Top Prospects game comes to a close and the testing numbers come back, it's important to note some superlatives from one potential Chicago Blackhawk in particular. Sam Dickinson, LD of the London Knights in the OHL, stood out in the testing drills over this week.

Ranking second overall in aggregate amongst his peers, it was especially noteworthy to see that Dickinson was 1st in both the 30m skating forward / reverse drill while carrying the puck. At 6'3 204lbs the left shot (though has shown the ability to play both sides) defender demonstrating this kind of agility and speed is only further cementing his status as a potential top 5 pick in the upcoming draft.

2024 Kubota CHL Top Prospects Game - Practice Sessions / Dale Preston/GettyImages

In his second full season in London, the Toronto native is showing a well rounded game in which the 17 year old is trusted in all situations. With 13 goals in 43 games (42 points in total) Dickinson ranks 4th amongst defenders in the OHL in goals despite his reputation as a defensive defenseman. Of note: fellow draft eligible Zayne Parekh ranks 1st with an incredible 22 goals.

In the video (edit by Howitzer Hockey) below Sam Dickinson is interviewed about his game as well as a breakdown on some of his highlights over the past 2 years. Dickinson, while always having a size advantage, shows great positioning when adjusting to gap coverage, offensive rushes, and forechecking to halt an opponent's short-lived advantage.

Being on a well coached and talented roster like London (Patrick Kane also played with the Knights before being drafted by the Blackhawks) Dickinson regulary plays with and excels on a team that already has 9 drafted skaters. A team leading +34 (a flawed metric, but worth noting), Dickinson is typically charged with stopping another team's best forward group. This is how he has stood out in his career and it is now a skill trait that he is building upon to further pad his draft year resume.

Defense is definitly Dickinson's calling card, while also alluding to his offensive numbers this season improving, it's important to note that while one of the bigger defenders in the draft class that he is also a very adept skater.

Would Kyle Davidson view him as a fit with the Blackhawks?

Sam Dickinson is a fluid skater with quick reversals and has an excellent carrying motion (and proven at the CHL TP week's drills). He would also place second in a transition drill while carrying the puck. From a Blackhawks perspective, Kyle Davidson has always mentioned that skating ability would be at the forefront of any potential future draft picks that they would make.

In terms of a prospect, I can find very little to pick apart when looking at the projection to the NHL for Sam Dickinson. Outside of Macklin Celebrini, he may be the safest pick inside the 1st round. A defender that has size, can skate, and has experience in all situations does sound like a player that almost all of the teams drafting in the top 10 will look at, let alone the top 5.

2024 Kubota CHL Top Prospects Game / Dale Preston/GettyImages

In terms of physicality, Dickinson does not shy away from contact and regulary muscles forwards away from retrievals and "50/50" pucks while also showcasing the ability to win board battles in key situations. While not the "wow" offensive talent that a Zayne Parekh or Zeev Buium are, the most important aspects of those responsibilities are handled professionally by Dickinson.

What is Sam Dickinson's draft projection and NHL future?

The upcoming draft is unlike the 2023 draft class in that after the #1 pick, it may be anyones guess the order of who goes 2nd, 3rd... all the way through 10th. At this point you could legitimately make an arguement for any number of players to go in those draft spots. Sam Dickinson will be in competition with the likes of Artyom Levshunov, Zayne Parekh, Anton Silayev, and Zeev Buium to be the 1st defender taken in June. It could ALSO be that each one of these 5 blue liners is selected in the top 10 which just shows you the talent of this group.

Sam Dickinson offers something that is rare from a draft perspective: A player that very safely and clearly projects as a top pairing NHL defenseman at 17 years old. Young for the class (summer birthday) and already with a well rounded game and skill trait kit, Dickinson won't wait long to hear his name called inside the Sphere (Las Vegas June 28th). Will it be called by Kyle Davidson and the Chicago Blackhawks?

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