Chicago Blackhawks Prospect & Boston University Commit Headed For Kitchener

The OHL's first-place Kitchener Rangers are about to get even stronger up front at forward

A tidal wave is coming and OHL teams may start adding more talent to their roster as we tread through the 2024-25 season. 

Since the NCAA ruled that CHL players can maintain NCAA commitments to Division I schools while playing in one of the three major junior CHL leagues — OHL, WHL, or QMJHL — three players have joined the OHL, and one active OHL player has committed to an NCAA program for next season.

The Kitchener Rangers had their 16-game point streak snapped Sunday night against the Oshawa Generals, but the red, blue, and white sit atop the OHL standings with 29 points. 

Kitchener is getting the job done via committee. Three players have 20 or more points — Adrian Misaljevic (28), Luca Romano (22), and Trent Swick (21) — and goaltender Jackson Parsons has the fourth-lowest goals-against average (2.55). 

Parsons made history last week by becoming the first active OHL player to enroll in an NCAA program.

Well, the Rangers are about to receive a big boost to their forward lineup by adding Chicago Blackhawks 2024 third-round, 92nd overall draft pick Jack Pridham. 

Pridham, 19, started the season playing for the West Kelowna Warriors in the BCHL. In 12 games, he's registered five goals and 10 points. 

The Warriors organization announced roster moves Monday evening. In their statement, they announced that they had released Pridham to Kitchener. 

Kitchener drafted Pridham 177th overall in the ninth round of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. A primary reason he was drafted so late was his pursuit of NCAA opportunities.

Jack is a Boston University commit and is planning to make the jump to the Terriers starting in 2025-26. 

Some may recognize his last name, and yes, he is the son of Toronto Maple Leafs Assistant GM and cap space wizard Brandon Pridham. 

He grew up playing in the GTHL before heading to play for St. Andrew's College while continuing his education for two seasons. After recording an impressive offensive season in 2022-23, Jack moved to the BCHL to play for West Kelowna, where he made the BCHL all-rookie team while registering 23 goals and 49 points in 54 games.

"Pridham’s success on the ice lies with his smarts, determination, and ability to be a puck possession monster. He reads each play very well, displaying great poise, patience, and execution. He can generate and create plays easily, be it off the rush or on the attack when he’s battling along the boards or in the corners," wrote Peter Baracchini of The Hockey Writers regarding Pridham. 

Baracchini continued by saying that Jack is a strong and smooth skater and a versatile offensive threat. 

"He has the vision to make creative plays and passes to his teammates, either in tight or making strong and accurate cross-ice passes. However, it’s his shot that stands out. He does a fantastic job of getting open and into the shooting lanes."

While it hasn't been confirmed yet by the Rangers that Pridham will be joining the team, Kitchener fans should expect a new face in their lineup soon with the help of the NCAA rule change. 

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