Blackhawks News
Blackhawks Trade Back Into First Round to Draft Mason West
Last year, we thought the Chicago Blackhawks were done after selecting Sacha Boisvert 18th overall. However, they traded two second-round picks to the Carolina Hurricanes to get back in the first round and take Marek Vanacker at 27. History repeated itself on Friday, when they traded picks 34 and 62 in this year’s second round and a fifth-round pick in 2027 to get the 29th pick from the Hurricanes. They used the pick to select center Mason West out of Edina High School in Minnesota.
West is a dual-sport athlete, playing quarterback for Edina and also starring on the ice. He’s a big 6-foot-6, 207-pound player who doesn’t turn 18 until August. He will be a long-term project, but you can take a swing when you’ve already made two first-round picks.
West will play for the Fargo Force in the USHL after football season next fall, and is committed to Michigan State University for the 2026-27 season. While his size is his most noticeable attribute, scouts are big on his vision and anticipation. He makes plays on both sides of the puck, is strong on the back check, and is never afraid to throw his weight around.
Offensively, he has a strong shot with a quick release, but he is more of a playmaker at this point in his career. West uses his long strides to get his transition game going through the neutral zone quickly. He has good vision, but does need work on his decision-making process. He has plenty of time to develop these skills in the USHL and college over the next couple of seasons.
