There’s A Lot of Blackhawks Flavor Heading to the NCAA Frozen Four

The Chicago Blackhawks have one of the strongest collections of U23 players in the NHL. Everything starts with Connor Bedard–who is already in the NHL and is a lock to win the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie.

There are also other strong prospects playing in the junior ranks and the AHL. However, all eyes are on the NCAA right now as two rounds of the tournament were just completed following Michigan’s 5-2 win over Michigan State Sunday night.  That win resulted in Michigan, Boston University, Boston College, and Denver reaching the Frozen Four. It is a lot of the elite programs historically that made it this year. The final rounds of this magnificent tournament will be held in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Denver has been in the Frozen Four 19 times and has nine championships. Boston University has been in it 24 times and has five championships. BC has been in 25 times and also has five championships. Michigan has been in 28 times and has nine championships. It is fair to say all of them have been great and all of them have a chance to win this year.

Blackhawks Prospects Well Represented in the Frozen Four

There will be some Blackhawks flavor heading to St. Paul for this one. Three prospects will head there and none of them are teammates. Frank Nazar is with Michigan and he is the best of them. When they are done, you can expect Nazar to sign his ELC with the Blackhawks right away. Whether or not he plays remains to be seen.

Ryan Greene is suiting up for Boston University. He is also a candidate to be signed right when his season is over. Just like Nazar, his upcoming playing time is unknown. Lastly, Aidan Thompson is a member of Denver. Thompson and the Pioneers have as good of a chance as anybody to win the entire thing.

What about the potential of seeing a future Blackhawks draft pick?  Macklin Celebrini of Boston University is also going to be there. He is the presumed top pick of the 2024 NHL Draft. Blackhawks fans (and management) are certainly hoping that he becomes a member of Chicago with a little bit more lottery luck carrying over from last year.

Picking a high-end center like that in back-to-back drafts would supercharge the rebuild. He’s also developed great chemistry with Greene, too.

The semifinal games arrive on April 11th. The first one features Boston University and Denver at 4pm CST. It will be followed by Boston College vs Michigan at 7:30pm CST.

How will these teams match up after having terrific seasons? It should make for two more marvelous games featuring Blackhawks prospects as some of the main players.