In The Hawks Nest Part 3: The Top Blackhawks Prospects from the CHL to the NCAA

Rinzel was drafted 25th overall in the 2022 draft and is quickly becoming one of the Blackhawks' most exciting prospects. At least, he is for me. 

This season in Minnesota, Rinzel has nine goals and 16 assists in 32 games, which ranks seventh among all defensemen in the NCAA. While the point production is nice, it's how his overall play is improving in his sophomore year. Scott Wheeler ranks him 54 in his Top 100 2025 Prospect Rankings and notes that his offensive decision-making has improved. Scott Powers notes that Rinzel's increase in size has helped him defensively. Rinzel is also a top candidate for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top NCAA DI men's hockey player.

This was a very raw defenseman at the time of his draft. Watching Rinzel take the next steps in his development is what's exciting. 

The Blackhawks could offer Rinzel a contract once his NCAA season finishes. Rinzel can sign it and spend most of his time in Rockford next season, or he can choose to play his junior year in Minnesota. I can see him turning into a solid middle-pair defenseman, although some have his ceiling being as high as a top-pair defenseman. 

Roman Kantserov - KHL - Metallurg 

Drafted in the second round in 2023, Roman Kantserov has been scoring highlight-reel goals in Russia's top professional hockey league. Kantserov has 28 points in 36 games at 20 years old. 

Kantersov was drafted because of his playmaking ability. According to Elite Prospects, he's excellent at reading pressure, makes smart first-touch passes, and is impressive on the rush. 

His KHL contract is due to expire in 2026, and he still needs to adapt his game to the North American rink, which is smaller and less forgiving to players of Kantserov's stature. But he has vocally expressed his desire to play in the NHL. I would expect him to start in Rockford in the 2026 season.

Nick Lardis - OHL - Brantford Bulldogs

Nick Lardis is having a spectacular season in the OHL. Through 53 games, Lardis is second in scoring with 96 points. He leads the league in goals with 57. It's easy to see why Blackhawks fans are excited. As a third-round pick in the 2023 draft, Lardis might be a steal. 

But let's pump the brakes for one second.

While Lardis has a knack for scoring and owns a mean shot, that scoring must translate to the NHL. Plenty of average to disappointing NHL players were scoring monsters in the OHL. As Lardis is already signed with the Blackhawks, I expect him to spend time in Rockford next season. He would have to make quite the impression to jump straight to the NHL.

NCAA Players of Note

This next section details players who are interesting prospects that are worth earmarking. They're in the basement of the article, not because they're bad, but because they're underwhelming or still very raw.

Oliver Moore: Moore has been... disappointing. A center with incredible skating ability, Kyle Davidson was overjoyed that Moore fell into his lap 19th overall in 2022. With 24 points in 30 games with the Univ. of Minnesota, you would hope Moore was taking the next step in his sophomore year. Also, his World Junior's appearance with Team USA was lackluster, with one goal and four assists in seven games. 

Ryan Greene: The 2022 second-round pick is having an excellent junior year with Boston University. The center has 27 points in 29 games and is expected to sign with the Hawks at the end of the season. He's noted as having solid puck-handling skills.

Aidan Thompson: Thompson is a center who is also having a solid junior year with 37 points in 30 games with the Univ. of Denver. While his point totals look nice, like Greene, you have to factor in his age. Had he been producing at this rate as a freshman or sophomore, I would have more reason to be excited. He was drafted in the third round in 2022.

Dominic James: Another center in his junior year who isn't having a bad season. 23 points in 27 games with the Univ. of Minnesota. 

The following players are prospects in the CHL or NCAA who I think are worth earmarking and keeping an eye on: Sacha Boisvert, Marek Vanacker, A.J. Spellacy, and Jack Pridham. Of those players, Vanacker and Spellacy are signed with the Blackhawks and could start with the IceHogs next season.