Here’s a look at the Blackhawks’ nine selections in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo:
No. 39 — Alex Debrincat
5-7 forward, Erie Otters (OHL)
Noteworthy: A native of Detroit suburb Farmington Hills, Mich. … Scored 51 goals and more than 100 points in each of the past two seasons for Erie Otters of OHL. … Rookie of the year in 2014-15. … Had 54 goals for Lake Forest Academy in 2013-14.
Quoteworthy: “It’s pretty special what Alex has been able to do,” Hawks general manager Stan Bowman said. I don’t know the exact number of guys that scored 50 goals back-to-back in the OHL. It’s a very small list. … He’s not a big guy, but he has unique skill and has great hands and great anticipation and he knows how to put the puck in the net.”
No. 45 — Chad Krys
5-11 defenseman, U.S. Development Team
Noteworthy: Philadelphia native. … Had three goals, 26 assists with U.S. national U18 team in 53 games. … Going to Boston University.
Quoteworthy: “The way he handles himself out there — he has a lot of character, maturity,” vice president of amateur scouting Mark Kelley said. “He plays within the team, but at the same time, he can get that puck up the ice.”
No. 50 — Artur Kayumov
5-10 winger, Russia
Noteworthy: Had 12 goals and 19 assists in 39 games with Russian U18 team. … Grew up rooting for the Hawks.
Quoteworthy: “Very, very high-skilled,” Kelley said.
No. 83 — Wouter Peeters
6-5 goaltender, Belgium
Noteworthy: Second Belgian ever taken, after Sean Day two spots earlier. … Caught Hawks’ eye during a barnstorming tour of Western Canada.
Quoteworthy: “From the first time we saw him, he just caught our attention,” Kelley said. “We followed him. We had him into Chicago, spent a little bit of time with him. He’s a great kid. Obviously, 6-5, makes him the ultimate as far as size. But he’s very, very athletic.”
No. 110 — Lucas Carlsson
6-2 defenseman, Sweden
Noteworthy: Had one goal and nine assists in 45 games in Swedish Super Elite league.
Quoteworthy: “He’s very very comfortable with the puck,” Kelley said. “He likes to make puck plays, he moves the puck up, he can make a short pass, he can make a long pass. He’s another one we followed quite heavily last year; we talked about drafting him last year. We’re excited. I think he fits the mold of the Swedish player that we like — smart, he competes.”
No. 113 — Nathan Noel
6-0 center, Saint John (QMJHL)
St. John’s, Canada
Noteworthy: Had 21 goals and 36 assists in 61 games with Sea Dogs. … Went undrafted in 2015 after scoring 24 goals.
Quoteworthy: “Another one that we talked about last year,” Kelley said. “Following him this year, he just kind of affirmed what we saw last year. I think that not getting drafted, he came back very, very focused. The attraction for us is he plays a fast game, he can irritate and he can play with the puck — three things that we like.”
No. 143 — Mathias From
6-2 winger, Denmark
Noteworthy: Had six goals and 15 assists in 36 games in Sweden. … Projected as a two-way power forward.
Quoteworthy: “He can skate probably as good as anybody in the draft,” Kelley said. “He’s a little bit behind the curve just because of growing up playing in Denmark. But not skating-wise, and size-wise. It’ll be interesting to watch him in [Sweden]. We have high expectations.”
No. 173 — Blake Hillman
6-1 defenseman, University of Denver
Noteworthy: Elk River, Minn., native. … Named Most Outstanding Player of NCAA West Regional with two goals and two assists. … 20 years old.
Quoteworthy: “He has been on our list for a couple years now,” Kelley said. “Actually, this will be the third year that we’ve talked about him. What we saw this year at Denver, especially in that title run when they lost to North Dakota, he just really matured. He’s just a real good presence. If you watch the team play, you might not notice him, but if you focused on him, you just like the way he thinks the game, plays the game.”
No. 203 — Jake Ryczek
5-10 defenseman, Waterloo (USHL)
Noteworthy: Native of Ludlow, Mass. … Had seven goals and 27 assists in 47 USHL games last season. … Will play at Providence College next season.
