Two of Chicago's two three prospects will be among 35 first-year players at the camp in Arlington,Virginia starting Tuesday, Sept. 5.
Next generational talent Connor Bedard may be a can't-miss NHL star at age 18, but he's been running off to hockey camps like an even-younger kid worried about making his bantam team.
Bedard is fresh from the BioSteel NHL Camp last week in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he skated with Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and other established top young NHLers. On Tuesday, Sept. 5, the NHL's No. 1 draft pick in 2023 will lace 'em up at the NHLPA/Upper Deck Rookie Showcase as it opens at the Washington Capitals training facility in Arlington, Virginia.
Bedard also is expected to play in the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase, a tournament featuring youngsters from the Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild that opens on Sept 13 at a Twin Cities area rink.
Joining Bedard at the NHLPA/Upper Deck camp at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex near Washington will be Kevin Korchinski, the Blackhawks top defenseman prospect and the No. 2 or No. 3 overall prospect in the organization. Korchinski, Chicago's first-round draft pick in 2022 (seventh overall) is coming off a terrific junior season with the WHL Seattle Thunderbirds and, like Bedard, gold medal-winning Team Canada in the World Junior Championships.
The Blackhawks have signed the rangy Korchinski to a three-year entry-level contract. Because he's still just 19 years old, Korchinski must either play with Chicago next season or return to Seattle. Per an agreement with the Canadian Hockey League to prevent poaching young talent, 19-year-olds may not play with professional minor league teams.
That means the AHL Rockford IceHogs aren't an option for Korchinski in 2023-24. If he has a strong training camp with the Blackhawks, it's possible that the 6-foot-2 native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan will start the season with Chicago along with Bedard when the team opens the season on Oct. 10 at Pittsburgh.
Lukas Reichel, the Blackhawks other No. 2/No. 3 prospect, participated in the 2022 NHLPA/UpperDeck Rookie Showcase. Thirty-five prospects from 21 NHL teams will be at the 2023 camp. Among them are other top 2023 draftees including Leo Carlsson (Anaheim, No. 2) and Adam Fantilli (Columbus. No 3)
Speaking of lofty expectations: The MedStar Capitals Iceplex is atop a parking garage on the eighth floor of a building. It claims to be the highest ice rink above street level in the United States.
