2024-25 Midseason grades for Blackhawks prospects: Part III, NCAA

2 days ago  /  Second City Hockey  /  Read Time: 10 minutes 24 seconds

Let’s head back to school for our next round of grades on Blackhawks prospects.







Sacha Boisvert



Center/Left Wing, drafted in the first round (18th overall) in 2024 NHL Draft



2024-25 season with North Dakota: 28 GP, 9 G, 11 A, 20 P, 67 SOG, 14 PIM



Grade: B



Boisvert is a currently a freshman and nominated for the Hobey Baker, so it’s hard to knock a rookie NCAA season like that, even if concern still remains on how well Boisvert’s game will transition to the NHL.



The elephant in the room is Boisvert’s skating. He’s not explosive, has low top-end speed, and isn’t agile on the ice – it’s the foundation of all the concerns with his evaluation, and why he’s not graded higher. His questionable skating often results in him ending up behind the play or cheating on defensive assignments when he’s attempting to make contributions as a winger. His production largely comes from perimeter scoring where, instead of driving the play himself, he’s merely finishing or making short-distance passes. Due to his skating, he’s not an effective puck mover, and he’s often burned defensively, making it hard to project a two-way center. While he’s got great size and ability to deliver hits because of his innate strength, unless Boisvert improves his skating, it’s going to affect his ability to become a long-term NHL player.



Boisvert’s still been an excellent goal scorer this season and is No. 2 on the Fighting Sioux in goals and points. When given space, especially on the man advantage, he can pick his spot like very few others in the entire 2024 draft, and he delivers the puck to the back of the net with elite power and placement. Boisvert seems to understand his limitations and works around them: he knows when to sit back, when to approach, how much space he needs to operate a play, and when to react. There is a future NHL player underneath all of these concerns and improved skating could result in the rest of his game following a similar upward trajectory. Plus, those skating issues are not fatal flaws — they can be fixed. The height of his ceiling and if he projects as an NHL player will largely hinge on what happens with his footwork over the next few seasons.



Hobie with the save, Boisvert with the W! #UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/90NVOeeTbx— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) January 12, 2025



Adam Gajan



Goaltender, drafted in second round (35th overall) in 2023 NHL Draft



2024-25 season with Minnesota-Duluth: 5-8-0-1 record, .878 save percentage, 3.64 goals-against average



Grade: F



There’s no sugar-coating Gajan’s 2024-25 hockey sesaon: it’s been awful, as he is statistically one of the worst goalies in the NCAA. It’s especially difficult considering his teammate, Klayton Knapp, has decent numbers at 6-5-2-1, 2.41 and .915, which suggests it’s not necessarily the team in front of Gajan causing these issues. Knapp took over while Gajan was out with an injury, and Gajan returned to the lineup on Feb. 8 against Omaha, giving up all five goals in a 5-2 defeat.



This is all more concerning when factoring in Gajan’s age: he’s struggling far more than his contemporaries from the 2023 draft, despite the fact that he was drafted as an overager. Gajan is physically gifted as he’s 6-foot-3, flexible, and relatively quick on his feet, but his play is a complete mess. Gajan doesn’t often square himself with shots, finds himself lost in the crease and on his angles against higher-end competition, and really struggles with pushes on the ice. He’s overtly aggressive and finds himself flopping at a rate that inspires more fear than confidence, especially as he’s not one to control rebounds well. Prospects can always improve, of course, but it’s going to take a massive turnaround for Gajan to earn himself any type of pro contract once he’s done in college.



𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞🏅 @UMDMensHockey's Adam GajanGajan earned his 1st career shutout Friday at Miami & totaled 39 🛑 in a sweep with a .951 save % and 1.00 GAA 🙅‍♂️📰: https://t.co/CJq6w19Yok#NCHChockey // @KJ_Branding#BulldogCountry // @NHLBlackhawks pic.twitter.com/ATscNMDl1G— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) November 18, 2024



Ryan Greene



Center, drafted in the second round (57th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft



2024-25 season with Boston: 29 GP, 12 G, 15 A, 27 P, 69 SOG, 16 PIM



Grade: B



This season for the Terriers captain has been defined by continued two-way and defensive growth, rather than on the offensive side of the puck. While his total point production and general skill sets have remained relatively in line each year through his time at Boston, Greene’s shown a strong desire to improve his two-way game. He’s leading Boston another top-10 ranking (No. 9 as of this week) despite the Terriers having a bit of a younger roster than prior squads. Greene’s aided due to their inexperience with noticeable improvement in his defensive zone positioning without compromising his ability to generate offense.



Greene constantly interrupts plays and doubles back to act as a supplemental defenseman, rather than aggressively targeting offense as a forward. He’s improved at recognizing when to step up in order to take away lanes, finding areas to distribute the puck, and understanding what places he needs to occupy so he can optimize control of all three zones. While Greene’s game isn’t trending towards someone with elite offensive production, he still has all the makings of a defensively responsible fourth-liner. His game is simplicity, competency, and steadiness. He’s been an aggressive on the backcheck and on the rush. His transition game has also improved thanks to more accurate passing and he continues to leverage his hands in order to deceive defenders. Greene’s really improved in terms of just playing as a team player. He’s a guy who offers steadiness and reliability when the team needs that ability most.



ANOTHER GAME, ANOTHER CLUTCH GOAL BY RYAN GREENE! pic.twitter.com/nrGncRAlgP— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) January 19, 2025



Oliver Moore



Center, drafted in the first round (19th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft



2024-25 season with Minnesota: 30 GP, 8 G, 16 A, 24 P, 85 SOG, 6 PIM



Grade: C



After the results of the last season, the hope from both fans and the organization was that Oliver Moore’s offense would take the next step. Unfortunately, there has been almost no growth on the offensive side of the ice, and the questions surrounding both his finishing ability and raw hockey IQ have been further reinforced.



Moore is not a bad player by any means. Far from it, really. But, expectations from Blackhawks brass were that Moore could one day be a true No. 2 center in the NHL. Right now, the reality looks more like a future third-line center. Despite being given time on the top line, the top power play, and 20-plus minutes of ice time per night, Moore still isn’t driving offense in ways that are projectable. He continues to use his amazing speed and skating ability to carry the puck into the offensive zone off the rush, but he doesn’t plan for his teammates and often finds himself turning the puck over, or being unable to make a play because he’s boxed out after being too aggressive. His passing shows flashes of brilliance, but in transition, Moore’s first move is always to turn on the jets, even if it bypasses a smarter read. Moore’s hands and raw puck protection have improved, but his continued inability to make plays develop or be a direct playmaker are holding him back.



Moore thrives using his speed and that’s part of what makes him an effective player and easy projection as a future 3C. The possibility also exists that he finds more of an offensive touch to his game when he progresses to the AHL and NHL, although that isn’t necessarily a probable expectation. Until his hockey IQ and ability to set up teammates for scoring chances improves, projecting him as a future top-six forward will continue to be unrealistic.



There’s still been growth in his defensive game, along with his ability to handle play in both the defensive and neutral zones. He’s skating more special teams minutes and his nonstop motor allows him to be ever-present both on the forecheck and back check. He’ll win puck battles, win races, disrupt the ice and make himself available as a finisher. His excellent speed allows him to pre-empt attacking passes that result in Moore breaking up the play or stealing the puck away entirely.



Watching how the Blackhawks decide to develop Moore should be interesting. Without a significant jump in his offensive awareness and playmaking ability, his ceiling remains relatively capped compared to draft expectations. The team will need to decide whether to continue to attempt to develop him as a playmaking offensive center, or specialize on turning him into an excellent 3C with a defense and facilitation-first mentality.



Oliver Moore with this goal and a 3-point night for Minnesota#Blackhawks #HOTR pic.twitter.com/D3kg7jXInB— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) February 2, 2025



John Mustard



Left Wing, drafted in the third round (67th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft



2024-25 season with Providence: 30 GP, 7 G, 11 A, 18 P, 93 SOG, 12 PIM



Grade: B+



A lot of scouts seemed to be relatively high on Mustard as a sleeper pick and, while he hasn’t been stellar, he’s having a really good freshman season in the NCAA despite being one of the youngest players in the league. Later picks can be a bit of a mixed bag as they progress to larger leagues, so there’s encouragement offered by Mustard faring well since moving to the NCAA after playing in the USHL last season.



Mustard, like many others, shows flashes of offensive skill and overall competency. Mustard’s biggest strength is his tenacity, motor, and speed. He’s not the smartest player, but he’s able to leverage his decision making in order to impact the game, especially off the rush. He has NHL-level speed which is abundantly clear in the NCAA: he keeps up with almost every play and has been able to contribute offensively by utilizing his size, speed, and body, even if he isn’t the one doing the scoring. His shot and generally solid offensive instincts have allowed him to create further space where he’s able to explode in speed and find a chance on net. The initial returns are overall positive on Mustard and he appears to have the necessary skills for someone who projects as a future bottom-six winger in the NHL.



That bottom-six role requires more than just offense, though, and Mustard’s defense remains a work in progress. Due to his speed and tendency to want to produce on the rush, he’ll find himself skating out of position or losing physical battles against older, stronger opponents. We’d expect him to get stronger in college, but the sooner he’s able to add another edge to his game, the sooner he’ll resemble someone who could flourish in the AHL and then, hopefully, the NHL. While Mustard plays well away from the puck on offense, he doesn’t show that same competency in the defensive side, which can inhibit his chances to stand out. He could be far more aggressive on the forecheck, and generally more aware of his defensive habits, as he tends to drift high, hoping for an offensive breakout. Despite the growing pains, though, keep in mind how young he is. He’s already seeing early success in the NCAA despite his ice time and more limited power-play involvement. In fact, he compares favorably to the aforementioned Boisvert already in terms of raw production, despite being a much later pick.



John Mustard finds a seam from the point and it's 4-1 Friars! pic.twitter.com/QsaRb3umqo— PC Men's Hockey (@FriarsHockey) October 5, 2024



Sam Rinzel



Defenseman, drafted in the first round (25th overall) in 2022 NHL Draft



2024-25 season with Minnesota: 32 GP, 9 G, 16 A, 25 P, 78 SOG, 12 PIM



Grade: A



The most pleasant development of the entire season has been the emergence of Sam Rinzel as one of the premier defensive prospects in the entire sport. While his breakout is coming at an older age (he’ll turn 21 in June), Rinzel has taken enormous strides in his game this season, establishing himself as one of the most dominant and proficient defenseman in the entire NCAA.



It’s not just his defense, his offense, or his transition ability — Rinzel has improved everywhere. His offensive game has flourished and he’s learned to utilize his skating to drive rush opportunities or carry the puck up the ice while activating from his own end. Rinzel’s vision and improved passing ability, which focuses on pre-empting attackers rather than hitting teammates in stride, has allowed him to quarterback the Gophers’ power play effectively and create even more scoring chances at a higher rate than nearly every other defenseman in the NCAA. On the defensive side of the puck, Rinzel’s biggest improvement is his ability to utilize an active stick and his better understanding of gap control. He’s far more difficult to beat one-on-one and, due to his transition game, he’ll often turn defense to offense because of skating and high-end ability to move the puck. Rinzel’s size (6-5, 190 pounds) and handedness (right) can’t be underestimated, either. He’s already doing more with his large frame to outmuscle his opponents along the board and box out his opponents, but there’s still far more room for him to fill out as he gets older. He’s consistently learned to make smarter reads under pressure, but also knows when to jump into a play or activate when there may be more limited opportunity. He’s reduced his propensity for turnovers this season and has focused heavily on smart decision making with the puck, even if it means simply dumping it into the offensive zone and cycling back for more optimal positioning. Rinzel’s poise allows him to control the pace of the game and be an impact player in any situation.



His excellent play has placed him among the top contenders — and likely finalists — for the Hobey Baker. He continues to put up points, but seems to also improve his defense as he goes, looking for opportunities to limit chances just as much as he looks to create them. With his confidence, skating, puck handling, and decision making, Rinzel has become an absolute nightmare for his opponents to play against. This season has firmly planted Rinzel in contention for a top-four NHL role if he continues this current trajectory and he could end up as one of the best blue-liners of his entire class.



Where Sam Rinzel ranks among @B1GHockey defensemen:9 Goals (1st)25 Points (1st)+15 Rating (3rd – behind two other #Gophers)Vote Hobey: https://t.co/mMY6cuXxTu pic.twitter.com/OAT0kMWgxj— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) February 11, 2025



Aidan Thompson



Center/Left Wing, drafted in the third round (90th overall) in 2022 NHL Draft



2024-25 season with Denver: 30 GP, 16 G, 21 A, 37 P, 117 SOG, 22 PIM



Grade: B+



As a junior, Thompson has really found his groove in the NCAA. He’s producing well over a point-per-game, but his impact isn’t just found on the offensive side of the ice — his game is actually quite well-rounded. Thompson is learning to not only be more physical despite his size (5-11, 180 pounds), he’s also learning to protect the puck better. He’s been improving steadily though his transitional game and ability to control the puck by either entering the zone himself or delivering an accurate pass so his teammate can do the same. His head still isn’t moving as much as it should be to identify more of what’s happening on the ice, but you’d be hard pressed to say that Thompson isn’t one of the top players in college hockey this year, evidenced by his Hobey Baker nomination. There is still room for improvement as a whole if Thompson wants to find himself in the NHL, as he’s still more of a complimentary piece than a play driver, deferring both puck recoveries and lane creation to his teammates.



Still, it’s been an overall encouraging season for Thompson, although he is now 22 years old, which puts a shorter window on his time to prove he belongs at the NHL level. We’ll see what happens with him whenever Denver’s 2024-25 season comes to an end, as the Pioneers are currently ranked No. 6 in the country and could be in store for another deep postseason run after winning the NCAA title last year.



How about a Friday night OT GWG 🚨 from #Blackhawks prospect Aidan Thompson for @DU_Hockey Thompson’s second 🚨🚨 if the game pic.twitter.com/wT6djmGi2y— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) February 8, 2025...

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