Are The Blackhawks Hurting Bedard's Development? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have signed Windsor Spitfires assistant captain A.J. Spellacy [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/a-j-spellacy-two-sport-athlete-a-potential-sleeper-in-the-2024-nhl-draft] to an entry-level contract. Spellacy, 18, was drafted 72nd overall in the third round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The Blackhawks have four players from their 2024 class playing in the OHL — Marek Vanacker [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/top-nhl-draft-prospect-marek-vanacker-revealed-he-played-all-season-injured] (27th overall), A.J. Spellacy (72nd), Jack Pridham [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/chicago-blackhawks-prospect-boston-university-commit-headed-for-kitchener] (92nd), and Ty Henry (163rd overall). A.J. Spellacy (8) [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyMzI0MjM3NzQ1MDcxNjI1/spellacy_ns_6656.jpg] A.J. Spellacy (8) The powerful, speedy forward signed for almost the league maximum contract for an entry-level deal, coming in at $975,000 annually. A.J. is in his third season with the Spitfires and plays a pivotal depth role for his team. Windsor is firmly atop the West Division with 65 points but trails the London Knights and Kitchener Rangers in the Western Conference. In 40 games this season, the former highly-touted football star [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/a-j-spellacy-two-sport-athlete-a-potential-sleeper-in-the-2024-nhl-draft] has scored 11 times and assisted on 14 goals. He's on pace to set a new career-high in assists (17 in 2023-24) and will aim to bring his heavy physical game to be an intimidating presence when the playoffs start. The Cleveland, Ohio native leaves a lot to be desired from an NHL prospect when you just look at his statistics — 80 points in 154 career OHL regular season games — but his impact is made when he doesn't have the puck. Spellacy is one of the league's most explosive and fastest skaters. His ability to sprint to loose pucks before others and put pressure on opposing defenders when they are breaking out the puck makes him a terrific off-puck player. He also has a very underrated release. Unsurprisingly, the Blackhawks signed their 2024 third-rounder this early in his development. He had a standout training camp with them and has a safe floor to become a bottom-six energy-driving forward for Chicago. Bookmark The Hockey News OHL [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/] site to never miss news, interviews, and any updates around the league.
