Next Blackhawks legend? Rookie Sascha Boisvert touted as Jonathan Toews' success
Photo credit: The Hockey News
Chicago Blackhawks draft Sascha Boisvert, eyeing a bright future.
In a move that may echo the storied career of Jonathan Toews, the Chicago Blackhawks have welcomed young Sascha Boisvert into their ranks.
A native of Quebec, Boisvert was snapped up with the 18th overall pick in the first round, signaling high hopes from the Blackhawks' management.
Before embracing his new journey, Boisvert impressed at the USHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks, where he tallied an impressive 36 goals and 68 points across 61 games. Standing 6'2" and weighing 185 pounds, this winger combines promising physical attributes with a proven track record in a challenging league.
" He put up some good numbers in the USHL, which traditionally is not the easiest league to put offense up in," Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson remarked. "And then just the physical package. You see him and there's just so much room to fill out and growth. "
Despite his youthful appearance and lanky build, Boisvert's playstyle belies a tough, gritty competitor reminiscent of some hockey greats.
" He plays with, like, a real edge, and real physicality," Davidson continued, emphasizing the dual appeal of Boisvert's offensive skills and his physical gameplay. "
Davidson consciously avoided drawing premature comparisons between Boisvert and Blackhawks legend Toews until late in the scouting process, aiming to shield the young player from overwhelming expectations.
" No, we weren't trying to recreate Jonathan Toews," Davidson clarified. "We won't put that on him. It's a great path. North Dakota's a great program and Jonathan had a ton of success coming out of there. "
Surprising Role Models
Interestingly, Boisvert's hockey idols are not the traditional ones you might expect for a Blackhawks draft. He admires the likes of Matthew Tkachuk and Eric Lindros, known for their robust physical presence on the ice.
" who can play a physical game and also put the puck in the back of the net and make plays. I take a lot of pride in being an all-around player," Boisvert shared. "Not only doing the plays and the fancy goals and all that, but winning my faceoffs, going to win battles in the corners and the physical game and every little detail taken care off. "
Dan Marr, vice president of NHL Central Scouting, highlighted Boisvert's distinctive style.
" He's the guy that brings the combination of skill and physicality, he likes to play that power forward game," Marr explained. "He can defend himself, he can win the 1-on-1 battles and he initiates the 1-on-1 battles. This is a guy that when you go into a scrum, he's going to come out with the puck. "
Boisvert's journey to the NHL was preceded by a significant move at 14, from Trois-Rivières to Mount St. Charles Academy in Rhode Island, where he quickly adapted to English to further his hockey career, unlike Toews who was bilingual from a young age.
The acquisition of Boisvert was part of a strategic trade with the New York Islanders, where the Blackhawks exchanged the 20th and 54th picks of the 2024 NHL Draft.
This pick was originally part of a trade involving Brandon Hagel back in March 2022.
As the Blackhawks fold Boisvert into their future plans, the hope is that he will develop into a cornerstone of the team, much like Toews did following his time at the University of North Dakota.
Source: The Hockey News
Blackhawks First-Round Draftee Sacha Boisvert: Following Footsteps of Jonathan Toews?
Blackhawks First-Round Draftee Sacha Boisvert: Following Footsteps of Jonathan Toews?
| POLL | ||
17 JUILLET | 39 ANSWERS Next Blackhawks legend? Rookie Sascha Boisvert touted as Jonathan Toews' success Do you think Sascha Boisvert reminds you of Jonathan Toews? | ||
| Yes | 14 | 35.9 % |
| No | 25 | 64.1 % |
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