The Chicago Blackhawks are deeper at forward than they've been in years. That makes it much harder for prospects to have a chance out of camp.
Friday marks the first practice for the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2026 Prospect Showcase. This will be the first of three weekend practices before games against the St. Louis Blues on Monday and Tuesday evening.
The roster for this event was released on August 31st, and there are a handful of players who are projected to stick out more than others. Two of them are looking to break camp with the team. There could be more, in theory, but AJ Spellacy and Sacha Boisvert are the ones with somewhat legitimate chances.
AJ Spellacy would be looking to make his NHL regular-season debut. The former 3rd-round pick (72nd overall in 2024) is a middle-six type forward who is big, tough to play against, and has a touch of offensive skill to his game.
There is also a certain level of "clutch" in Spellacy's game as well. Whenever he finds himself playing in a big game under the bright lights, he shows up. Although these are just practice and exhibition prospect games, they are his first chance to impress in the new season.
As for Sacha Boisvert, he made his NHL debut at the end of last season when his year at Boston University ended. The former first-round pick (18th overall in 2024) had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 1 fight in his 7 NHL games.
Over the summer, Boisvert did the work to put on some extra weight in anticipation of his first full pro season. Spellacy didn't need to do that as much, but they are both as prepared as you need to be in order to begin this quest.
Few players on either side are expected to have the impact that these two will have during the games. They each have experience playing in big games, and they have both excelled at different points in their journey.
Making the NHL team out of camp is not a guarantee or even likely for either of them, or any players participating in this for Chicago, but great showings here, during camp, and in the preseason could start to change that perception.
If they have good starts here and turn the heads of management, including the coaches, it will increase their odds of having meaningful eyeballs on them as September rolls along.
Likely, stints in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs are best for their development, but coming into the year with an NHL-sized goal is exactly how they should operate.
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