Nazar's NCAA season ended — along the collegiate year for several other drafted University of Michigan prospects — in a 4-0 loss to Boston College in the Frozen Four on Thursday.

Frank Nazar III, a slick sophomore forward at the University of Michigan the season, could be nearing a pro contract and debut with the Blackhawks.

Ranked as Chicago's No. 2 prospect in THN's 2024 Future Watch, Nazar and his Wolverine teammates were eliminated from the NCAA Frozen Four on Thursday night. Boston College rolled past Michigan 4-0 in the semifinals in St. Paul, Minnesota to advance to face Denver in the title game.

Nazar was one of three Chicago first-round draft picks in 2022, taken 13th overall. The speedy Detroit-area product played in only 13 NCAA games in 2022-23 as a freshman following hip surgery, but posted 17 goals and 41 points in 41 games this season.

Nazar came on strong in the second half after skating for gold-medal winning Team USA at the 2024 World Junior Championship in Sweden. He's best known as a scorer, but was prominent as a playmaker for the Americans at the WJC, posting eight assists on some nifty passing.

Nazar and several other drafted Michigan teammates — Gavin Brindley (Columbus), Rutger McGroarty (Winnipeg), Dylan Duke (Tampa Bay) and Seamus Casey (New Jersey) — need to confer with their NHL teams about the next, best steps for their careers.

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said last month a decision about Nazar would take place in time. Following Friday's game against Nashville, the Blackhawks have three  remaining. Their AHL affiliate, the Rockford Ice Hogs, will continue into the playoffs.

Coach Luke Richardson said he's watched Nazar in the NCAA Tournament on TV.

"Nazar is impressive to me," Richardson said Friday. "He gets around the ice. He really seems to read the play well. 

"It's exciting that we might have a chance to look at him.  We're not sure yet. I'm sure its disappointing for him not to be in the finals. I think he's had a real great year so that's looking good for us." See video.

Nazar was the first in his family to play hockey. His father, Frank II, fell in love with the game when he owned a parking garage across from the Joe Louis Arena, the former home of the Red Wings.