Things looking sharp at center for the Blackhawks

CHICAGO, Ill. – The center position on the Chicago Blackhawks might just be the best when it comes to skills and depth. They have the veteran leadership in Patrick Sharp and the trust of their young Captain in Jonathan Toews. Sharp again is racking up the points where he has progressively gotten better in the four seasons that he has played with the Blackhawks since the trade with Philadelphia that brought him here to the Windy City.
 
As for Toews, it shows a lot to be named team captain in only his second year in the NHL. That pressure might have caused him to come into the season with a slow start but he has since turned it around and moving up the scoring ladder.
 
Colin Fraser and Dave Bolland are contributing well in their first full season with the team. Bolland is playing well enough to have gotten named to the sophomore team for the YoungStars Game at the NHL’s All-Star Weekend in Montreal.
 
Next we have the following centers in the system who are ready to take the next step in moving up and contributing to the Blackhawk’s renaissance.
 
Petri Kontiola (AHL – Rockford IceHogs) The Blackhawks seventh round draft pick in 2004 is turning out to be a major playmaker for the organization. He currently is the team leader in points and in the top ten in the AHL in assists. He also represented the team in this season’s AHL All-Star Game playing on the victorious PlanetUSA team helping with two assists.
 
Tim Brent (AHL – Rockford IceHogs) Brent was one of the best players in the league during last season’s Calder Cup playoffs with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins ranking first in goals and third in points. He was acquired by the Blackhawks in exchange with Danny Richmond from Pittsburgh. The current IceHogs team captain has missed a few games due to injuries but has kept up his scoring averaging almost a point per game.
Evan Brophy (AHL – Rockford IceHogs) Brophey has already exceeded his numbers from last year’s first full professional season with the IceHogs. He is now the scoring threat that was expected of him when he was drafted by the Blackhawks 3 seasons ago.
 
Jake Dowell (AHL – Rockford IceHogs) Dowell has been contributing on the checking line for the IceHogs and is getting his fair share of points and close to getting career numbers. Last season he did have a taste of the NHL playing 19 games with the big club.
 
Contact the author at matt.chin@prohockeynews.com