NHL draft profiles: Meet the newest Blackhawks

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The Blackhawks picked Swedish defenseman Adam Boqvist with the No. 8 pick on Friday night. (Getty Images)

Here’s a quick look at the players the Blackhawks selected in the 2018 NHL Draft.

• Adam Boqvist, D

Picked: Round 1 (eighth overall).

Vitals: 5-11, 168, shoots right.

Stats: Five goals, 12 assists in 19 games (Sweden).

Noteworthy: Offensively gifted defenseman has a tremendously high ceiling but is still two or three years away from the NHL. Needs significant work defensively.

Quoteworthy: ‘‘It’s his ability to impact the game,’’ Hawks director of scouting Mark Kelley said. ‘‘He’s just so creative and makes fast plays.’’

• Nicolas Beaudin, D

Picked: Round 1 (27th).

Vitals: 5-11, 172, shoots left.

Stats: 12 goals, 57 assists in 68 games (QMJHL).

Noteworthy: Savvy playmaker and power-play quarterback.

Quoteworthy: ‘‘I’m a two-way defenseman, but I can provide offense, too. I’ve got a great IQ. I think in my zone I’m just getting better and better.’’

• Jake Wise, C

Picked: Round 3 (69th).

Vitals: 5-10, 194, shoots left.

Stats: Nine goals, 19 assists in 18 games (USHL).

Noteworthy: Two-way center with playmaking ability.

Quoteworthy: ‘‘I’m just a really reliable guy, and I think with the Blackhawks I can play in every situation.’’

• Niklas Nordgren, RW

Picked: Round 3 (74th).

Vitals: 5-9, 174, shoots right.

Stats: 15 goals, 12 assists in 17 games (Finland).

Noteworthy: Diminutive but sturdy, with a sniper’s touch. The Blackhawks traded the No. 87 and No. 142 picks to the Coyotes to move up and take him.

Quoteworthy: ‘‘Pretty exciting to get [taken by] the Blackhawks, one of my favorite teams in the NHL. Great city. I watch the games on TV. Great fans.’’

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• Philipp Kurashev, LW/C

Picked: Round 4 (120th).

Vitals: 6-0, 190, shoots left.

Stats: 19 goals, 41 assists in 59 games (QMJHL).

Noteworthy: Boom-or-bust pick played for Switzerland at world juniors, compiling four goals and four assists in 11 international games.

Quoteworthy: ‘‘Really smart, skilled centerman,’’ Kelley said. ‘‘But he’s also really strong on his skates.’’

• Mikael Hakkarainen, F

Picked: Round 5 (139th).

Vitals: 6-1, 194, shoots left.

Stats: 15 goals, 31 assists in 36 games (USHL).

Noteworthy: The Blackhawks traded a fifth-round pick in 2019 to move up to take Hakkarainen, who’s heading to Providence College in the fall.

Quoteworthy: ‘‘When you went and saw him play, he got on the scoresheet,’’ Kelley said. ‘‘But even if he wasn’t on the scoresheet, you noticed him play. He played hard — 200-foot.’’

• Alexis Gravel, G

Picked: Round 6 (162nd).

Vitals: 6-3, 223, catches right.

Stats: 20-11-1, .890 save percentage, 3.38 goals-against average in 39 games (QMJHL).

Noteworthy: German-born goalie came to Canada when he was 6. Was the third-ranked North American goalie, according to NHL Central Scouting.

Quoteworthy: ‘‘It’s probably the best day of my life. I just look down, and there’s a Chicago Blackhawks logo on the jersey. It feels amazing. It’s unreal.’’

• Josiah Slavin, F

Picked: Round 7 (193rd).

Vitals: 6-0, 161, shoots left.

Stats: 23 goals, 19 assists in 60 games (USHL).

Noteworthy: Younger brother of Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin.

Quoteworthy: ‘‘He’s going to play another year and then go to Colorado College,’’ Kelley said. ‘‘We just like the whole project.’’


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