The two collegiate speedsters are rated No. 1 and No. 2 in Chicago's system by The Hockey News Future Watch scouting panel. The 2024 Future Watch special edition is now available.
Speedy centers Oliver Moore and Frank Nazar III, rated the No. 1 and No. 2 prospects in the Blackhawks organization by The Hockey News 2024 Future Watch, will skate into Big Ten Tournament action this weekend.
The 19-year-old Moore, a freshman for the University of Minnesota, will be joined by fellow Future Watch top prospect Sam Rinzel as the Gophers host Ohio State in Minneapolis. The 5-foot-11, 185 pound Moore is a burner and Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson was pumped to pluck him with his team’s second first-round pick in the 19th slot last June.
Moore and his roommate Rinzel, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound freshman defenseman, came on strong in the second half of the NCAA season after skating for gold-medal winning Team USA at the World Junior Championships in Sweden over Christmas break.
Moore finished with nine goals and 32 points in 34 games, tied for second on Minnesota. Rinzel had a goal and team-leading 25 assists. Both are from the Twin Cities suburbs.
Nazar Flying For Michigan
Nazar, a sophomore at the University of Michigan, will be in action in Ann Arbor as the Wolverines host Notre Dame. He finished with 14 goals and 36 points in 34 games.
A native of Detroit suburb Mount Clemens, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Nazar was drafted by the Blackhawks in the first round, 13th overall in 2022. He was Chicago's second pick in the first round after Davidson took defenseman Kevin Korchinski in the seventh slot.
Nazar hit his stride in his second year with the Wolverines after hip surgery limited him to 13 games as a freshman.
He's best known as a shooter, but was prominent as a playmaker for the Americans at the WJC, posting eight assists on some nifty passing. Like Moore and Rinzel, Nazar went on a roll in NCAA play after returning.
Slaggert Ready To Turn Pro
Davidson and his staff are expected to keep their eyes not only on Nazar, but Notre Dame senior and leading scorer Landon Slaggert in the best-of-three series.
The 21-year-old Slaggert, who finished with 18 goals and 28 assists for the Irish, was drafted by the Blackhawks in the third round and 79th overall in 2020. Expect Chicago to sign the 6-foot-0, 185-pound South Bend, Indiana native to a pro contract once his NCAA career ends.
The development of Moore and Rinzel should be best served by playing another year in college. Nazar, now 20, might turn pro or return to the Wolverines.
Get THN Future Watch: Input From Pro Scouts
The Hockey News 2024 Future Watch edition is now available at newsstands and online at The Hockey News Store. https://thehockeynews.store/ It includes features on hockey prospects from around the world and individual stories on what's in the systems of all 32 NHL teams.
Top prospects for each team are ranked by panels of pro scouts whose expertise is tapped by THN for Future Watch. Longtime THN team reporters, including yours truly for Chicago, then write the stories.
Even better: Subscribe to The Hockey News at thn.com/free to get regular editions, then receive THN Future Watch or another special edition for free.
