Blackhawks Prospect of the Week: Aidan Thompson Stays Hot As Denver Rolls

The Chicago Blackhawks are in another one of their downswings, having lost four in a row and scoring just three goals in the last three games. This season has been lost for quite some time, and now we are left counting the days to the trade deadline. When we want to feel optimistic, we must look behind the surface and head to the amateur ranks to find players who will help turn things around.

Aidan Thompson – University of Denver

Patience is key when it comes to developing young players. There is no manual or script for it. Every player takes their own path. Aidan Thompson has needed more time than most. He was passed over in two straight drafts before the Blackhawks took him in the third round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. His production dropped a bit last season, but it’s been all systems go this year. His work ethic and attention to detail have made him a better player today than when he was drafted.

Thompson has been one of the hottest players in college hockey lately. Last weekend, he scored a goal and four points to help Denver sweep a two-game set from Miami. He’s on a seven-game point streak, which has seen him put up four goals and 11 points. He has 17 goals and 41 points in 32 games this season.

Being an older prospect, 23, Thompson could easily transition into the pro game like Landon Slaggert. It remains to be seen if he plays with the Blackhawks or Rockford IceHogs this season. The NCAA Frozen Four will take place on April 10 & 12. Denver is currently the sixth-ranked team in the nation, so getting that far is not out of the realm of possibilities. The Blackhawks’ final game is on April 15.

Sacha Boisvert – University of North Dakota

It is very difficult for a freshman at a top program like North Dakota to earn big minutes right away. It’s even more challenging to be one of the leading scorers on the team. That’s what Sacha Boisvert has done in Grand Forks, as he quickly became one of the team’s top forwards.

Last weekend, Boisvert had three goals in back-to-back wins over the University of Minnesota-Duluth, with one coming at the expense of fellow Blackhawks’ prospect Adam Gajan.

His big weekend earned him NCHC Rookie of the Week honors. Bosivert is up to 12 goals and 23 points in 30 NCAA games. He will likely return to North Dakota for at least one more season. Two seasons at one of the top college programs in the country will go a long way in his development.

Jiri Felcman – SCL Tigers

We’re heading to Europe for our final prospect of the week. Jiri Felcman spent much of the season in the Swiss National League. After only one goal and nine points in 32 games, he was demoted to the U20-Elit league. He responded with two goals in his first game.

After three scoreless games, Felcman racked up five assists in Friday’s 7-0 win over Geneve. He added a sixth assist in a 4-3 loss to ECH Biel-Bienne on Sunday. At 6-foot-4, he will bring the Blackhawks some much-needed size down the middle when he fills out. Felcman is still only 19 and will need more time to reach his potential. Whether his development continues in Europe or Rockford is still to be determined.