The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot of prospects who will play college hockey in 2025-26. Many of them are on contending teams that have a chance to compete for a National Championship.
One of those programs is Providence College, who play in an incredibly competitive Hockey East. Providence has two Blackhawks prospects to keep an eye on throughout the season.
The most notable is John Mustard, who the Blackhawks selected in the third round, 67th overall, of the 2024 NHL Draft. Mustard has his freshman season under his belt, as he had 7 goals and 13 assists for 20 points in 37 games played. This solid production is something to build on.
Now, Mustard is ready to break into one of the leading roles on the team. Doing that would make his path to pro hockey a little bit smoother.
Mustard's best ability is his speed. That allows him to be an effective player on the attack and back as a defender. With the mindset that he can play either center or wing, he is valuable to coaches trying to fill out a lineup.
While with Providence, Mustard will be looking to take his game to another level. Having the speed and tenacity that he does will serve him well there when he's going up against top teams like Boston College and Boston University.
During the 2025 Development Camp, GM Kyle Davidson admitted that Mustard doesn't get the praise he deserves due to the depth that the organization has built up. That can change with an even bigger year at Providence in 2025-26.
Mustard will play on the same team as Blackhawks prospect Julius Sumpf. The German-born forward is entering his freshman season at Providence after Chicago selected him in the 4th round, 98th overall, of the 2025 NHL Draft.
Sumpf is leaving the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL to play in the NCAA, which was a popular move for top players in the Canadian major junior leagues this summer.
With Moncton, Sumpf scored ten goals in the playoffs, which was a key in the Wildcats' QMJHL championship and Memorial Cup appearance. With his big frame and offensive abilities, expect him to continue developing his game.
Having high-end players like this makes Providence a dangerous team. They will be a hard squad to beat all season long with their size, speed, and skill. The Blackhawks are hoping that their two draft picks in Mustard and Sumpf, can play key roles in their success.
Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.