It’s that time again, Blackhawks fans! As the NHL trudges through the dog days of August, there’s precious little in terms of important news to discuss. While the game’s top players continue to rest, recuperate, and train for the upcoming season, all eyes are now on the continued development of each team’s prospect pool. Chicago has developed its pipeline as well as anyone over the past few seasons and are set to reap the benefits soon.
Earlier, we went through the handful of names who just missed the list of the top 25 prospects in the Blackhawks’ system. The fact that such great talents were left off the list is a testament to the depth of that system. Now, though, we’ll dive into the bottom of the actual list. These players are a combination of new draft picks and unproven prospects, each of whom possesses immense long-term upside. Each of them will likely move up the list by this time next year after what will prove to be a make-or-break season for many.
25. Martin Misiak (age 19)
Misiak, who was drafted in the second round in 2023, already signed his entry-level contract and will head to the IceHogs this fall. He had an up-and-down year in the OHL last season, but finished the campaign with 47 points in 60 games. The organization loves his size and hockey sense, and he’s not a far reach from the NHL. There’s still plenty of room for growth in his game, but with a full season in Rockford scheduled, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was one of the most hyped prospects in Chicago’s system by next summer.
24. AJ Spellacy (age 18)
The second of Chicago’s three third-round picks this summer, Spellacy is the most notable power forward in the entire pipeline. He had 38 points in 67 games in the OHL last season, but contributes even more with his physicality and unique skating ability. Spellacy will return to the Windsor Spitfires this fall, an appropriate name given the mean streak in his game – a trait that will serve him well at the next level, protecting some of the undersized, highly skilled forwards on the roster.
23. John Mustard (age 17)
Spellacy and Mustard will be back-to-back on every list considering where they were drafted – Mustard was taken by the Blackhawks five picks earlier than his powerful counterpart. Mustard is a perfect fit for the Kyle Davidson regime, as he’s a lethal scorer who possesses immense speed, evidenced by his 56 goals in 60 games in the USHL last year. He’s still just 17 years old and will head to Providence College in the upcoming season, where he’ll aim to continue to use his young age to his advantage and shoot up the prospect ranks.
22. Ryder Rolston (age 22)
Rolston was acquired via trade with the Avalanche a few years back, but he certainly plays like a Davidson pick. With good size, he possesses just about every positive trait a GM looks for in a prospect. He’s quick, creative, has good hands, is a dangerous, snappy scorer, and enforces well defensively. He’ll look to build on the ten goals he scored last season when he returns to Rockford this year and is under contract for the next two seasons. If the Blackhawks suffer a similar injury bug to last season’s, Rolston could be one of the first names called up to make his big-league debut.
21. Aidan Thompson (age 22)
Thompson is already a national champion, having played a big role in Denver’s NCAA run this spring. With 62 points already over his first two seasons there, he’ll step into an even bigger role in his upcoming junior season. He possesses all the skills needed to excel in that position, as he plays a great all-around game, wins faceoffs, and flies around the ice. Thompson is already one of the Blackhawks’ most prized possessions and will only become more prominent whenever he signs and turns pro.
