2013 NHL DRAFT: CHECKING UP ON THE HAWKS DRAFT PICKS

Rockford, Ill. – The Chicago Blackhawks will be looking to add more depth to their squad after an impressive 2012-13 season at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft this weekend.

In last year’s draft, the Blackhawks selected eight players, none of whom played in the NHL last season. With another year of development under their belts, the Blackhawks will be watching to see if any of them can make an impact on this upcoming season.

Today, IceHogs.com will be taking a look back over the past two season’s draft selections and what they accomplished in 2012-13.

2011 Blackhawks draft picks:

Mark McNeill was the first round draft pick (18th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. McNeill completed his fourth season with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL). With the help of his 67 points (25g-42a), the Raiders made it to the playoffs for the second time since McNeill joined the team. He led the team in assists and tied first for goals scored. The Edmonton, Alberta native joined the IceHogs for five games following his season with the Raiders. McNeill is turning pro on a full-time basis in 2013-14.

Phillip Danault was the second of two first round picks (26th overall) by the Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Danault played half of this past season for the Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL), for his fourth season, and half for the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) after being traded. The 20-year-old center racked up 85 points (23g-62a) on the season and helped the Wildcats make it to the playoffs, something that he has done each of his four seasons in the QMJHL. He appeared in five games for the IceHogs as well at the end of the season, and like McNeill, will turn to the pro ranks full-time in 2013-14.

Defensemen Adam Clendening was selected in the second round (36th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Clendening made his professional debut with the IceHogs last season after completing his second campaign with Boston University (NCAA) in 2011-12. He appeared in 73 games and recorded 46 points (9g-37a). The rookie received some accolades this past year by being named an AHL 2nd Team All-Star following his rookie campaign.

Brandon Saad was selected in the second round (43rd overall) in 2011. The 20-year-old left wing split time between Rockford and the Blackhawks during the 2012-13 season. He appeared in 31 contests for the IceHogs and 46 for the Blackhawks. Between the two, Saad recorded 47 points (18g-29a), showing pretty even numbers between his time in the AHL and NHL. Saad was also a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy which is awarded to the best NHL rookie each season. He appeared in all of the Blackhawks Stanley Cup Playoff and Final contests.

Michael Paliotta was selected 79th overall in the third round in 2011. The 20-year-old defensemen completed his second season with the University of Vermont this past year. He appeared in 35 games for the Catamounts and tallied 10 points (1g-9a). Paliotta is expected to return to Vermont for his junior season.

Katrineholm, Sweden native Klas Dahlbeck was selected in the third round (79th Overall) by the Blackhawks in 2011. Last season, the defensemen made his North American hockey debut with the Rockford IceHogs. He appeared in 70 games and recorded 6 points (1g-6a).

Maxim Shalunov, a fourth round draft pick (109 overall) for the Blackhawks in 2011 played in multiple tiers in Russia for the 2012-13 season. He played seven games for Belie Medvedi Chelyabinsk or the Minor Hockey League (MHL), 19 games for Chelmet Chelyabinsk of the Major Hockey League (VHL), and one game for Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Center Andrew Shaw split time with both Rockford and Chicago during the 2012-13 season. The former fifth round pick (139 overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, is one of only two players selected that year by the Blackhawks to get NHL playing time. He shares that accomplishment with second round pick Brandon Saad. Shaw appeared in 28 games for the IceHogs and 48 games with the Blackhawks last season. In all, he recorded 29 points (17g-12a). He also appeared in all of the playoff and Final games for the Blackhawks in 2012-13.

Sam Jardine was selected in the sixth round (169th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Last season, Jardine completed his first collegiate season with The Ohio State University. The defensemen appeared in 28 games for the Buckeyes and recorded seven points on the season (7a).

Former seventh round draft pick (199th overall) Alex Broadhurst agreed to terms on a three-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on May 31, 2013, joining his brother, Terry Broadhurst, who is also signed with the Blackhawks. Last season, the Lenox, Ill. native played his first year for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). With the Knights, he recorded 63 points (23g-40a) over 65 games.

Goaltender Johan Mattsson was selected 211th overall in the seventh round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He spent his 2012-13 season playing for the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Mattsson appeared in 33 contests for the Storm and had a record of 12-15-3 with a save percentage of .909.

2012 Blackhawks draft picks:

Teuvo Teravainen was the Blackhawks first round selection (18th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Since being drafted, the forward played his second season with Jokerit Helsinki of the Finnish Elite League (SM-Liiga). He recorded 31 points (13g-18a) over 44 games last season.

Dillon Fournier was a second round selection (48th overall) for the Blackhawks in 2012. This past year, the 19-year-old forward completed his second season with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Fournier recorded 24 points (6g-18a) on the season with 59 appearances. He also played in the 14 playoff games for the Huskies this year as they made it to the semi-finals before being defeated by the eventual champion Halifax Mooseheads.

Right wing Chris Calnan was selected in the third round (79th overall) of the 2012 NHL entry draft. Calnan completed his first season with the South Shore Kings of the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL). He appeared in 32 games and recorded 49 points (27g-22a) on the season. He is enrolled at Boston College for 2013-14.

Garret Ross, a left wing for the Saginaw Spirit (OHL), was a fifth round draft choice (139th overall) for the Blackhawks in 2012. Ross played his fourth season for the Spirit last year, and for the fourth straight year, they made the playoffs. The Dearborn Heights, Michigan native recorded an impressive 90 points (44g-46a) in 2012-13. He agreed to terms on a three-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on April 9th, 2013. The left wing also made his professional debut with Rockford, playing in two games in 2012-13.

Former fifth round draft pick (149th overall) Travis Brown finished his second season with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2012-13. The defensemen from Winnipeg appeared in 70 games for the Warriors and recorded 39 points (9g-30a).

Bartlett, Ill. native Vince Hinostroza was selected in the sixth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old forward completed his third season with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League (USHL) in 2012-13. He helped the Black Hawks make it to the post-season for the second straight year with his 25 goals and 35 assists on the season.

Goalie Brandon Whitney was selected in the seventh round (191st overall) of the 2012 draft. Whitney completed his third season with the Victoriaville Tigres of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in 2012-13. He tended the goal in 58 contests this past year and had a record of 27-20-6.

Matt Tomkins was selected 199th overall in the seventh round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The goaltender played in 44 games in his second year with the Sherwood Park Crusaders or the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) last season. He boasted a record of 22-14-6 and had a save percentage of .924. Tomkins has committed to play collegiately at Ohio State.

Check out IceHogs.com all week as we preview the 2013 NHL Entry Draft
Monday, June 24th: Draft Breakdown at Blackhawks pick
Tuesday, June 25th: Mock Drafts
Wednesday, June 26th: Breakdown of the Blackhawks first overall picks over the past 10 years
Thursday, June 27th: Draft Impact on the IceHogs
Friday, June 28th: An update on the progress of all of Chicago’s draft picks from the 2011 and 2012 drafts

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