PROSPECTS: Six Prospects Named to 2024 World Junior Preliminary Roster

With only a few weeks until the 2024 World Junior Tournament, Team USA and Slovakia named six Blackhawks prospects to their preliminary roster. Those players include Adam Gajan (SVK), Gavin Hayes (USA), Martin Misiak (SVK), Frank Nazar (USA), Oliver Moore (USA) and Sam Rinzel (USA). 

The tournament is slated to take place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Sweden. 

Until then, here are what some of the prospects achieved this week: 

COLLEGE

In Minnesota’s 4-1 win over Penn State on Friday night, Rinzel notched his first collegiate goal to open up the scoring. The defenseman currently leads the Golden Gophers’ blueliners in points with one goal and nine assists.

Over with Boston University, Ryan Greene added two helpers in the team’s 4-1 win over Merrimack. The freshman forward ranks third in goals (6) and fourth in points (16) among Terriers’ skaters. 

Landon Slaggert continues to lead both Notre Dame and Big Ten skaters in goals (12) this past weekend. The captain of the Fighting Irish added two goals in the team’s 6-1 win over Michigan on Friday. This season, he tallied 12 goals and 4 assists through 16 games.

ROCKFORD 

Colton Dach produced two more assists on Friday to make it his fourth multi-point game this season. Through 13 games, the forward scored five goals and seven assists and ranked fourth among IceHogs’ players. 

While the IceHogs earned a five-on-three power play against the Manitoba Moose, Ethan Del Mastro notched his second goal of the season. The defenseman scored four points (1G, 3A) in his last five games and led Rockford defensemen in goals (2), and points (10) in his first year.

JUNIORS 

On Saturday afternoon, the Flint Firebirds announced that Hayes moved into second place for all-time scoring in franchise history with 165 points (79G, 86A) in his three seasons with the team. This past weekend, the forward scored six points (2G, 4A) and extended his point streak to seven games.

In his last three games with the Brantford Bulldogs, Nick Lardis added three points (2G, 1A) to bring his season total to 18 goals and nine assists through 25 contests. The forward still leads the team in goals (18) and points (27). 

Paul Ludwinski snapped his 14-game point streak last week with the Kingston Frontenacs. On Friday against the North Bay Battalion, he added two more points (1G, 1A) in the team’s 8-6 loss. He continues to lead Kingston in points (26), tied for first in goals (11) and ranks second in assists (15).