When Colton Dach and Nolan Allan were traded to the Seattle Thunderbirds from their respective WHL teams, it reunited the trio of prospects who won gold with Canada back in January. Winning on the biggest stage was a huge feat. Now the Chicago Blackhawks prospects have a chance to take it all with Canada’s juniors, too.
Allan, Kevin Korchinski, and Colton Dach have been on quite the heater since January, and it only benefits the Blackhawks organization. A prospect pool envied by many in the league, it’s about to only get better when Chicago takes Connor Bedard first overall in the NHL Draft.
He’ll likely skip the normal prospect route altogether with a one-way ticket to Chicago. But the other three continue to make strides and may be joining him sooner rather than later.
Blackhawks Winning Big With Their Draft Picks
Korchinski has been a revelation, taken in last year’s draft seventh overall. 14 points (3-11) in 19 games along with three goals, the 18-year-old defenseman is positioning himself to be a huge piece of the rebuild puzzle. He’ll play big minutes in the Memorial Cup, and that only furthers his chance at seeing the same in Rockford or potentially Chicago.
Dach has cooled off after potting some goals early, but his numbers are identical to Korchinski’s. He’s been all over the ice during the WHL playoffs and has played with a stacked group of forwards in first round picks Brad Lambert and Dylan Guenther. The result? A 16-3 run through the playoffs and now, the chance to play against the best of the other two Canadian Hockey League teams.
Allan has been active offensively while his usual mainstay as a strong presence in their own end. The final pick of the first round in 2021, Allan completes the trio turning heads for not only the Blackhawks, but many in the league as well.
More Experience Bodes Well for the Future
It’s one thing to dominate a league but miss out on the crucial, tense experience. It’s a whole other to play in action packed, critical moments like the trio has. Be it internationally, or in the Western Hockey League, now they go on Canada’s biggest stage for junior prospects. The extra time is bonus and serves to provide phenomenal lessons down the road as they ready for Rockford and hopefully from their standpoint, Chicago.
Of the three, Korchinski seems on the straightest path to the Blackhawks. Hockey’s a funny sport, though. Just ask Allan, Dach, and Korchinski.
One minute they’re winning gold. The next, they’re reunited to win the WHL and potentially the entire Canadian League.
But the Blackhawks stand to be the biggest winner of all.
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