Blackhawks Draft Review

ROUND 1, 27^thOVERALL

Joe Morrow, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Height: 6’0, Weight: 199 Born: 12/09/1992

10/11 Stats:  60GP, 9G, 40A, 49PTS, +23, 67PIM

GM’s Comment:

“When we saw that Joe would be available late in the 1^stround we became very active in trying to move back into the round. After securing a deal with Buffalo we were able to select him with the 27^thpick. We firmly believe his skating ability is the best of any player in this draft class. We see a lot of a younger Duncan Keith in his game. He uses his elite skating ability to move the puck to create offense, and also to recover in defensive situations.”

ROUND 2, 35^thOVERALL

Rocco Grimaldi, F, US National Team Development Program (USHL)

Height: 5’6 Weight: 160 Born: 02/03/1993

10/11 Stats: 23GP, 12G, 13A, 25PTS, +10, 18PIM

GM’s Comment:

“The only thing that kept Grimaldi from being a top 10 pick is his size. His skill level matches that of any player selected this year. He has excelled against older players in the USHL, and dominated the best of his own age at the U17, and U18 tournaments. His puck skills may be the best of the draft class, and he could be a very dangerous offensive player at the NHL level.”

ROUND TWO, 46^thOVERALL

Chris Tanev, D, Vancouver Canucks (NHL)

Height: 6’2 Weight: 189 Born: 12/23/1989

10/11 Stats: 29GP, 0G, 1A, 1PT, 0PIM

GM’s Comment:

“Chris plays a game with a maturity well beyond his years. He is terrific positionally and makes very smart decisions with the puck. While he didn’t produce numbers in his limited ice time during the Canucks stretch drive, his skill set suggests he could produce offensively going forward”

ROUND TWO, 47^thOVERALL

Adam Clendening, D, Boston University (NCAA)

Height: 5’11 Weight: 187 Born: 10/23/1992

10/11 Stats: 39GP, 5G, 21A, 26PTS, +8, 80PIM

GM’s Comment:

 “does not shy away one bit from mixing it up physically. He also possesses excellent skating ability and a great shot that should allow him to be an offensive producer”

ROUND TWO, 49^thOVERALL

Mark Stone, F, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Height: 6’3 Weight: 182 Born: 5/13/1992

10/11 Stats: 71GP, 37G, 69A, 106PTS, +14, 28PIM

GM’s Comment:

“The big knock on Stone is his below average skating ability. We believe with his very impressive skill set, and great size that he could be among the players who despite not being elite skaters prove to be fantasic NHLers. His upside lies somehwere between Andrew Brunette and Corey Perry.”

ROUND THREE, 76^thOVERALL

Eddie Lack, G, Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Height: 6’5 Weight: 194, Born: 1/5/1988

10/11 Stats: 53GP, 28-21-4, 2.26GAA, .926 SP, 5 SO

GM’s Comment:

“Lack was a  real revelation in his first season in North America. He simply got better and better as the year went on before carrying his team on his back through a deep playoff run. Wih his size and athleticism he has the upside to be an elite goaltender.”

ROUND FOUR, 96^thOverall

Teemu Hartikainen, F,  Edmonton Oilers (NHL)

Height: 6’2 Weight: 198 Born: 05/03/1990

10/11 Stats: 12GP, 2G, 3A, 5PTS, -3, 4PIM

GM’s Coment:

“The first time I saw him play I found myself constantly asking who is that #56. Hartikainen plays an up and down game and as the Oilers become a better team he could emerge as in invaluable complimentary player.”

ROUND FIVE, 126^thOVERALL

Jared Spurgeon, D,  Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Height: 5’8 Weight: 175 Born: 11/29/89

10/11 Stats: 53GP, 4G, 8A, 12PTS, -1, 2PIM

GM’s Comment:

“Another player who if size was ignored would have gone much higher. He has excelled at every level going up the ladder despite being well undersized for the blueline position. He is a fantastic skater who has excellent offensive upside. He is also smart enough positionally to hold his own in defensive situations.”