Blackhawks prospect Frank Nazar is healthy and ready to take control

It was just another game day when Frank Nazar entered Munn Ice Arena on Feb. 10, 2023.

But for the 19-year-old, deep down, it meant a bit more. He was minutes away from his college hockey debut. It was a moment he cherished for years but was robbed of earlier due to hip surgery. He didn’t play a competitive game for 276 days, dating back to USA’s silver medal at the U-18 World Championship.

Lining up for the University of Michigan Wolverines was a dream come true, but it was an up-and-down 12-game stretch for Nazar, who had seven points as he tried to get himself acclimated to the lineup. It’s hard for anyone to slither into game action after an extended break.

But now? He’s fully healthy. He’s happy, and he’s set to play a huge role for Michigan in its search for its first national title since 1998.

Nazar recently represented the United States at the World Junior Summer Showcase, highlighted by a four-goal, five-point night against Sweden on the second day of play. It was a blowout 10-1 win, but Nazar was playing on another level. His confidence was there, and it looked like how he dominated with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program two years ago.

“I’m feeling good. It’s nice to be back,” Nazar said early in the tournament. “Obviously, you want to be healthy and playing again.”

In his last year with the program, Nazar had 28 goals and 70 points in 56 games. It was good for third in team scoring behind Isaac Howard (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes). Expectations were high when the Chicago Blackhawks selected him 13th overall in 2022, but the decision to have surgery and skip most of the season put things on ice for a while — and we didn’t see him carry his momentum forward.

Michigan qualified for the Frozen Four but was ultimately eliminated by the eventual champions Quinnipiac in the semifinal. Still, it was a significant experience he wanted to be a part of.

“Not playing hockey for half a year, and then coming in and playing the playoffs, it’s pretty hard to get into game pace,” Nazar said. “But that’s a challenge I wanted to do. I could have sat out the rest of the year and just become stronger. But I wanted to come back and I wanted to help with the Frozen Four push.”

The Wolverines will look different next year. Adam Fantilli and Mackie Samoskevich are gone up front, and Luke Hughes won’t be producing points from the blue line. A lot of Michigan’s offense will be centered around Nazar, Rutger McGroarty (Winnipeg Jets) and Gavin Brindley (Columbus Blue Jackets), which is a stout base to build around. Nazar should be able to snag the No. 1 center spot previously occupied by Fantilli, but those are big shoes to fill after the 2023 third overall pick won the Hobey Baker Award.

If Nazar can replicate his WJSS success in college, he could be in the running for that, too.

“It’s a shame his freshman year was a write-off because everyone was intrigued with his play,” a scout said. "The damage he did with the USNTDP can’t be understated. When he’s on his game, he’s dominant.”

It’ll be a big season for Nazar, whom many thought, had he stayed healthy, could have turned pro after just a year. This season will also include the world juniors, and he’s been a standout every time he has played internationally. After what we saw in Plymouth, expect Nazar to play a crucial top-six role – and potentially take over the top center position.

A national title would be nice, too.

Nazar said he feels as fast and confident as ever, which showed in his early action. The real challenge begins in the fall when he begins his sophomore season. He’s not thinking too far ahead, like the potential of playing with Connor Bedard in Chicago in a year or two. Nazar is focused on the here and the now.

Blackhawks fans should keep a close eye on Nazar this year. He’s one of the top names in a loaded pipeline, and he’ll likely push himself further with a complete college campaign.

Then, it really starts to get fun.