CHICAGO, Ill. – At the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks were in a place that they haven’t seen in a long time, a position in the back of the Bell Centre in Montreal. The further you made it in the playoffs, the further your team’s table was from the stage. The Blackhawks went into the playoffs looking for players in two main positions. That they did in drafting two defensemen and six centers. The team was looking for a second line center with size that will develop into a player that can play behind team captain Jonathan Toews. The urgency for that kind of a center calmed a bit after the draft as Dave Bolland signed up for another 5 years and will fit perfectly into that position. So the replenishing time has come for the team to develop their talent in the system and have them ready. They are already one of the youngest teams in the league and if you have more great quality players up and down the system, they will become more valuable when the team is looking for that one player in free agency that can help the team make it over the top. Let’s take a look at the Chicago Blackhawks Draft Class 0f 2009. Dylan Olsen Defense (Camrose – Alberta Junior Hockey League) First Round – 28th Overall Born on January 3, 1991 – Hometown Salt Lake City, Utah…6’ 2″, 210 pounds… Shoots Left. As a member of Team Canada at the 2009 Under-10 IIHF World Championships, he had an impressive four points with two goals going a plus four in the six games he played. Last season he played with the Camrose Kodiaks where Olsen led all defensemen on his team with 10 goals and 29 points in 53 games. He has good size and toughness along with a great hockey knowledge of each playing zone. Olsen plans on attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RIT) in the fall. Brandon Pirri Center (Georgetown – Ontario Junior Hockey League) Second Round – 59th Overall Born on April 10, 1991 – Hometown Toronto, Ontario 6’ 170 pounds… Shoots Left Finished third in scoring with 94 points (46 goals) in 44 games in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He was traded during the season by starting in Streetsville going 21-28-49 in 18 games and didn’t lose a beat after going to Georgetown where he compiled 25 goals in the 45 points in 26 games. Daniel DeLisle Center (Totino Grace High School – Minnesota) Third Round – 89th Overall Born on September 24, 1990 Hometown Fridley, MN…6’ 4″, 222 pounds…Shoots Right Averaged over two points per game and led all scorers at Totino High School in Minnesota. He was a finalist for the Mr. Hockey Award given to the outstanding senior high school hockey player in Minnesota and has committed to play at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Byron Froese Center (Everett – Western Hockey League) Fourth Round – 119th Overall Born on March 12, 1991 Hometown Winkler, Manitoba…5’ 11″, 191 pounds… Shoots Right A smallish defensive forward who knows his job and plays physically. He can put points on the board. Froese had 57 points with 19 goals in 72 games in his rookie season with Everett (WHL). Was a member of Team Canada at the 2009 IIHF Under-18 World Championships compiling seven points in six games. Marcus Kruger Center (Djurgarden-Jr. – Swedish Junior League) Fifth Round – 149th Overall 5’11″, 172 pounds Born on April 10, 1991 Hometown Stockholm, Sweden 5’ 11″, 172 pounds… Shoots Left Kruger is a skilled playmaker with great passing skills and was considered a great leader. Made his debut with Djurgarden of the Swedish Elite League scoring two goals and two assists in 15 games. With Djurgarden-Jr., Kruger was a plus 21 with 39 points on 9 goals in 34 games. In the post-season he registered a goal and five assists in six games. David Pacan Center (Cumberland – Canadian Junior Hockey League) Sixth Round – 177th Overall Born on March 31, 1990 Hometown Ottawa, Ontario…6’ 3″, 187 pounds… Shoots Right Ten of his 22 goals last season at Cumberland were on the power play while accumulating 78 penalty minutes in 58 games. Committed to play at the University of Vermont. Paul Phillips Defense (Cedar Rapids – United States Hockey League) Seventh Round – 195 Overall 5’ 11″, 190 pounds Born on July 16, 1991 Howetown Darien, IL… 5’ 11″, 190 pounds…Shoots Left A local product who was born just outside of Chicago and played for Cedar Rapids of the USHL. Last season he was only one of two players to play in all 60 regular season games. A defensive-defenseman who compiled a plus 7 his last two seasons along while making progress on his scoring abilities with eight goals and 33 points. Close to half of his points came on the power play. Committed to play at Denver University. David Gilbert Center (Quebec – Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) Seventh Round – 209th Overall Born on February 9, 1991 Hometown Chateauguay, Quebec…6’ 1″, 184 pounds…Shoots Left A playmaker who is still developing his niche but at a good pace. He jumped from midget league hockey to the QMJHL last season with the Quebec Remparts. He is able to adjust to playing on the wing, plays well on the boards and is great on the face-offs. Overall Analysis: The Chicago Blackhawks seems to have center and defense well stocked. The team selected players with a wide range of abilities at all positions from playmakers to goal scorers, with a bit of size and toughness. All the draftees have that mental edge to them in that they know the game and have the skills to adjust and will learn to take their game up another notch. As a treat for the Blackhawks, aside of signing Marian Hossa from the dreaded Detroit Red Wings, the team also picked up Tomas Kopecky who can play center and wing which will give them more depth and allow the draftees time to develop with their respective teams in the upcoming season. Contact matt.chin@prohockeynews.com
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