The Chicago Blackhawks will take the ice this weekend at the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase in St. Paul, Minnesota. With 23 players on the roster — 13 forwards, 8 defensemen, and 2 goalies — this is one of the best chances for fans to see the next wave of talent in the rebuild. Among them are five non-NHL contract players getting a look: forwards Ryan Gagnier, Harrison Israels, and Owen Robinson, defenseman Jeremie Bucheler, and goaltender Owen Flores.
The Hawks will square off against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday at 6 p.m. CT and the Minnesota Wild on Sunday at 3 p.m. CT. Both games will stream live on the Blackhawks’ official website and app, while practices at Fifth Third Arena are free and open to the public.
Why This Matters for the Blackhawks
The Hawks are still deep in their rebuild, but the pipeline is loaded with talent. This showcase offers a preview of the future — players who could be pushing for NHL jobs in the next year or two. With three 2025 NHL Draft picks also in the lineup, the weekend isn’t just about today’s roster but also tomorrow’s stars.
Forwards to Watch
• Nick Lardis (OHL – Brantford Bulldogs)
The dynamic winger lit up the OHL last season with 117 points (71 goals, 46 assists in 65 games). He’s pure offense, a threat every time he touches the puck. Fans will be watching if that scoring touch translates against stronger competition.
• Ryan Greene (Boston University)
Greene’s two-way game took a big leap at BU last season. With 38 points in 40 games, he brings skill and reliability. A strong showcase could put him on track for a bigger role in Rockford or even Chicago sooner than later.
• Oliver Moore (Minnesota – NCAA)
The 2023 first-round pick continues to grow into his elite skating ability. He had 33 points in 38 games last season, and his speed will stand out. Moore could be the future answer at center behind Connor Bedard.
• Jack Pridham (Kitchener – OHL)
Drafted in 2024, Pridham is still a work in progress but has shown clear offensive upside. He put up 54 points in 48 games with Kitchener last season, then added 13 points in 16 playoff games. A right winger with a natural scorer’s touch, Pridham is also rounding out his 200-foot game, showing more commitment away from the puck.
• AJ Spellacy (Windsor – OHL)
At 6-foot-3, Spellacy brings the size and grit the Blackhawks need more of in their lineup. A third-round pick, he already looks like strong value — not the fastest skater, but his compete level allows him to close gaps and strip pucks off opponents. Defensively, he’s proactive down low and thrives on making contact. Offensively, he’s still raw, with decision-making and reads that need work. The playmaking flashes but isn’t always consistent.
With 37 points in 62 games last season, Spellacy has shown enough offense to build on. With patience, he projects as a reliable third-line power forward who can bring energy, size, and defensive presence.
• Marek Vanacker (Brantford – OHL)
Quietly one of the more complete forwards in the Hawks’ system, Vanacker posted 42 points in 45 games last season and is trusted in all situations. He anticipates turnovers and gaps in coverage, timing his drives into open space to create scoring chances.
Vanacker is relentless on both the backcheck and forecheck, often stealing pucks and immediately turning them into odd-man rushes. With strong north-south strides and deceptive east-west crossovers, he can push through the neutral zone with speed and finish by picking corners off the rush.
Defensemen to Watch
• Artyom Levshunov (Chicago/Rockford)
The crown jewel of Chicago’s blue line prospects. Levshunov split time between the NHL and AHL last season, showing poise beyond his years. He’s penciled in as a future top-pair defender, and this showcase is another step in his development.
• Sam Rinzel (Minnesota – NCAA)
At 6-foot-4, Rinzel combines reach with offensive instincts. He had 32 points in 40 games last season and projects as a top-four NHL defenseman. This weekend will test how his game translates against stronger, older opponents.
Goalies to Watch
• Stanislav Berezhnov (KHL/VHL)
The Russian netminder had a strong showing in the VHL, and this will be his first real test against NHL prospects. the
Why Fans Should Watch Blackhawks Prospects
When you rebuild like the Blackhawks, weekends like this matter. It’s a chance to measure where the pipeline is, which players are ready to push for NHL minutes, and which ones still need time.
Names like Lardis, Greene, Moore, Vanacker, Levshunov, and Rinzel are more than just prospects — they’re the future core of the team. How they perform here won’t decide their careers, but it will give a glimpse of what’s coming.
The Hawks aren’t just rebuilding. They’re building with purpose. And this showcase is proof that the next wave is on the way.
Schedule (subject to change)
- Wednesday, Sept. 10 – 11:00 AM: Practice, Fifth Third Arena
- Thursday, Sept. 11 – 10:00 AM: Practice, Fifth Third Arena
- Friday, Sept. 12 – 10:00 AM: Practice, Fifth Third Arena
- Saturday, Sept. 13 – 9:10 AM: Practice, Fifth Third Arena | 6:00 PM: Game vs. St. Louis Blues (TRIA Rink)
- Sunday, Sept. 14 – 3:00 PM: Game vs. Minnesota (TRIA Rink)
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Sources & Notes
Stats and player info verified from:
• Elite Prospects
• CHL Official Stats
• NCAA
• AHL
Player Stat Highlights:
• Nick Lardis – 65 GP, 71 G, 46 A, 117 PTS (OHL Brantford)
• Ryan Greene – 40 GP, 13 G, 25 A, 38 PTS (Boston Univ.)
• Oliver Moore – 38 GP, 12 G, 21 A, 33 PTS (Minnesota NCAA)
• Marek Vanacker – 45 GP, 24 G, 18 A, 42 PTS (OHL Brantford)
• Artyom Levshunov – 18 GP, 6 A (NHL Chicago), 52 GP, 22 PTS (AHL Rockford)
• Sam Rinzel – 40 GP, 10 G, 22 A, 32 PTS (Minnesota NCAA)
