Happy Saturday! Over the past week, USA Hockey has hosted its World Junior Championship Summer Showcase — an opportunity for prospects to skate in game action to make their case for a spot in this winter’s World Juniors. The Blackhawks had four prospects in the tournament: Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, Gavin Hayes and Sam Rinzel. And all four of them looked great!
Let’s look at some highlights from the final day of the tournament, shall we?
Hayes was primarily used as a third-line right winger throughout the week, but he looked good. He made a few plays to start scoring opportunities. One question some have had is whether or not his skating is good enough to make the jump and continue being a successful goal scorer at the next level. In the first tweet (yes, I’m still calling them tweets, Elon) below you can see Hayes find his way through traffic and rip home his first goal of the week.
Nazar had a really good week. On the final day, he started as the center on the top line — ahead of 2023 fourth overall pick Will Smith. He already had a five-point game during the Showcase before Friday. The USA team he was part of trailed 4-1 before coming all the way back to win the game in the closing seconds of regulation. Nazar scored the game-tying goal (in the second tweet below).
Frank Nazar scores off of Ryan Leonard's original shot and USA Blue has made it 4-4.
Huge comeback effort against Sweden. — Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey)
Chris Peters at shared his standout performers from the entire week’s games on Friday at the conclusion of play, and Nazar was near the top of his list. Here’s what he had to say about the soon-to-be (likely) 1C at the University of Michigan:
Nazar led all players with eight points in four games at the World Junior Summer Showcase, eliminating all doubt that there were any lingering concerns over his missing most of last season with injury. Nazar played with pace, was decisive with the puck and made plays all over the ice. He was a scoring chance machine throughout the event, whether he was creating them or setting them up. He had a five-point night in USA’s stunning 10-1 win over Sweden, highlighted by four goals. As teammate Rutger McGroarty (WPG) said, “Frankie’s back, baby!”
Here’s what Peters had to say about Hayes’ performance this past week:
Another pleasant surprise in camp, USA put Hayes in more of a depth role at times, but no matter his role, he played an effective, heavy game and was a handful at the net-front. His abrasive style in the dirty areas, along with quick hands, makes him a tougher player to play against and the U.S. needs a little more of that wit𒐪h the depth of skill an🌄d scoring up front.
Moore’s speed was evident throughout the week. He got the start as the only Blackhawks prospects on the White Team in the second game on Friday, rolling as the second-line center. And the game’s opening goal was a beauty.
What a goal from Oliver Moore. Tyler Duke with the pass.
Caught the puck on his stick, broke in alone and made no mistake. 1-0 USA. — Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey)
Finland scored the next two goals in the game, but Moore made sure they didn’t stray too far. He scored the second goal of the game for his US squad as well, this time trailing the play and finding a nice pass on the doorstep for an easy deposit.
Danny Nelson rushes in and Oliver Moore scores his second of the game.
USA ties it, 2-2.
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey)
Steven Ellis at wrote a nice recap of the final day, and his comments about Moore are fun to read. Because we’ve all said it so many times, it’s always nice to see/hear/read a national analyst saw what I put in bold from his thoughts on Moore’s performance:
That opening goal was a beauty, catching the pass from Tyler Duke on the toe of his stick before beating Niklas Kokko on the breakaway. He then scored the second American goal on a feed from former USNTDP Danny Nelson to put USA back in it. Blackhawks fans love to point how lucky they are they got him at No. 19, and I’ll echo that sentiment.
Here’s what Peters had to say about Moore’s performance this week:
I initially wasn’t going to include Moore on this feature because I thought he had a slow start to camp, but after his final game during which he scored two goals, he showed that he simply progressed day over day. He finished camp with three goals and an assist and while he wasn’t much for driving play, he was solid at finishing them. His speed was a lot to handle and I think that, plus his willingness to defend and play on the PK could get him in the mix for a spot. I don’t think he guaranteed himself anything, but he’s better positioned now.
The United States coaches are going to have some tough decisions in putting together their roster for this winter’s World Juniors with so many elite players in the past couple drafts. If the Blackhawks’ three forwards who attended this week can all make the roster — and I think there’s a strong chance they do — that would be tremendous experience for each of them. It would also speak to just how good the top-end forward skill is in the system from Kyle Davidson’s two draft classes.
In case you missed it because, you know, Friday afternoon, Blackhawks legend Marian Hossa will be inducted into the Slovakia Hockey Hall of Fame this coming week. Congrats!
Just a quick reminder as you plan your coming week, the Blackhawks will celebrate the life of Rocky Wirtz with an event at the United Center that’s open to the public on Wednesday. I shared the details earlier this week.
Finally, let’s watch some more highlights of another new guy. I can’t wait to see how Yannick Ngakoue fits into the Bears’ defense — and how they work around him. It’s fun to have legitimate excitement about football!
Tab Bamford has been writing about the Chicago Blackhawks for almost two decades. He joined Bleacher Nation as the lead Blackhawks writer in May 2022. Tab is a member of the and is the author of three books about the Blackhawks: (Triumph Books),"🔯100 Things Blackhaꦯwks Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" (Triumph Books) and "Chicago Blackhawks: An Illustrated Timeline" (Re🍨edy Press, 2021). Find him on Twitter/X/Instagram/Threads at @The1Tab
After practice on Thursday afternoon, the Chicago Blackhawks formally introduced Nick Foligno as the 35th captain i🍬n the history of the franchise in a press event at Fifth Third Arena. //twitter.com/The1Tab/status/1836849752438436160 Foligno's free agent rights were acquired last summe🍸r (with...
Day One of Blackhawks Training Camp happened on Thursday. There was a nice, albeit somewhat late-arriving crowd (thanks, traffic) tꦓo watch a spirited scrimmage. Most of the fans left before the second half of the practice when the rest of...
As the Chicago Blackhawks get to work this week to kickstart their 2024-25 season, there are some players battling for🐼 positions on the NHL roster. The influx of young players who have been drafted and signed by general manager Kyle..🌊.
It's finally here! Tr🗹aining camp opens at 10 AM today at Fifth Third Arena. It's goinꦰg to be a busy day, with practice followed by general manager Kyle Davidson kicking off the new Blackhawks season and then a media event...
Get excited, Blackhawks fans! We're two sleeps away from training ca🌄mp opening with the first practice at 10 AM on Thursday at Fifth Third Arena. An overhauled roster surrounding the reigning NHL rookie of the year makes this a fascinating...
It's officially Day One of the 2024-25 NHL season,🤡 hockey fans! Camps are opening all over the league. The Blackhawks open camp tomorrow, officially, with their first practice and general manager Kyle Davidson speaking with the media. Maybe we'll also...
The first box is checked for cable subscribing Blackhawks and Bulls fans. On Wednesday morning, Chicago Sports Net𒆙work a💎nnounced a "multiyear distribution agreement to provide the network and its live local game telecasts for the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls and White...
One more sleep until training camp, Blackhawks fans. Only one! And we'll all hit the pillow tonight knowing the 35th🌱 captain in the history of the Chicago Blackhawks is Nick Foligno. Fans and media alike have called Foligno the de...
The Blackhawks h💃ave a new captain! For the first time since Jonathan Toews s🅠tepped away from the game, Chicago's hockey team will have someone wearing the "C" on their chest. That someone will be Nick Foligno! While some might have...
On Tuesday afternoon, the Chicago Blackhawks announced their broadcast schedule. There were/are questions about how they would handle the preseason, and the release appears to answer those -- at l🍬east for now. Here's the preseason broadcast schedule the Blackhawks sent...
Pac-12 teams will be on the Week 4 college football schedule, involved in two games, including the San Jose State Spartans versus the Washington State Cougars.[lasso rel="routy" id="898262"]Week 4 Pac-12 GamesSan Jose State Spartans at Washington Sta💝te CougarsTime: 10:00 PM...
MWC teams are on the Week 4 college football schedule, involved in eight games, including the San Jose State Spartans versus the Washington State Cougars.[lasso rel="routy" id="898265"]Week 4 MWC GamesSan Jose State Spartans at Washington Stꦺate CougarsTime: 10:00 PM ETDate:...
The Fresno State Bulldogs (2-1) have an MWC matchup with the New Mexico Lobos (0-3). For odds and best bets, keep scrolling.P꧑ick New Mexico (+13.5) to CoverThe Bulldogs have🦄 covered the spread twice in three games with a set spread.The...
The No. 8 Miami Hurricanes (3-0) take the field against the South Florida Bulls (2-1) in college football action at Raymond Ja🎉mes Stadium in Tampa, Florida. In the piece below, we include best bets and tips to help you make...
The North Texas Mean Green (2-1) and Wyomingꦉ Cowboys (0-3) will face each other in a matchup at Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas. For odds and best bets, keep scrolling.Pick Wyoming (+7) to CoverThe Mean Green have covered the spread...
Big 12 foes will clash when the No. 13 Kansas State Wildcats (3-0) meet the BYU Cougars (3-0). Keep scrolling for a look at the odds and best bets for this matchup.Pick BYU (+6.5) to CoverThe Wildc☂ats have ღcovered the...
The Iron Skillet is up for grabs when the TCU Horned Frogs (2-1)♓ and the SMU Mustangs (2-1) hit the field. For odds and best bets, keep reading.Pick SMU (+2.5) to CoverThe Horned Frogs have not covered the spread in...
The No. 5 Ole Miss Rebels (3-0) and Georgia Southern Eagles (2-1) will clash in a matchup at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in 🍃Oxford, Mississippi. For odds and best bets, keep scrolling.Pick Georgia Southern 🐻(+36.5) to CoverThe Rebels are 3-0-0 against the...
The Boston College Eagles (2-1) play the Michigan State Spartans (3-0) in college football action at Alumni Stad𒅌ium (MA) in Boston, Massachusetts. In the piece below, we include best bets and tips to help you make informed bets.Pick Michigan State...
The No. 25 Texas A&M Aggies (2-1) and Bowling Green Falcons (1-1) will clash at Kyle Field in Coll🌃ege Station, Texas. Below, we break down the odds and best bets for you.Pick Bowling Green (+22.5) to CoverThe Aggies are 1-2-0...
