The Blackhawks are opening development camp with a roster that gives fans a real mix of familiarity, intrigue, and fresh faces. For the first time in a few seasons, this week will include on-ice work again, after camp had been limited to off-ice sessions centered on weightlifting, bonding, and nutrition.
Chicago is bringing 19 prospects to camp: 12 forwards, five defensemen, and two goaltenders. The group will spend the week getting reps, building connections, and spending time around the media that covers the team.
Among the more experienced names, Sacha Boisvert stands out right away. He already saw seven games with the Blackhawks at the end of last season and finished with one goal and one assist.
Both goaltenders arrive with pro experience, too. Stanislav Berezhnoy appeared in 16 games for the Rockford IceHogs last season and went 5-10-1 with a 3.30 goals against average and .886 save percentage, while also adding three assists.
Adam Gajan got into one game with Rockford after signing an Amateur Tryout contract late last season and took the loss.
Ashton Cumby is another player with a pro connection already in place. He signed an AHL contract with the IceHogs earlier this offseason, which puts him on track for professional ice time next season.
There are also three former first-round picks in the mix besides Boisvert: Vaclav Nestrasil, Marek Vanacker, and Mason West.
The roster also has several names that may not have gone in the first round, but have put together strong numbers in junior or college hockey. AJ Spellacy, John Mustard, Parker Holmes, and Nathan Behm are all worth a close look.
Spellacy is coming off a strong run on the international stage with Team USA at the World Juniors. He enters his age-20 season and is set to report to the Rockford IceHogs this year for his first pro hockey experience. His season with the Windsor Spitfires was down statistically - 32 points in 51 games - but his energy and style of play could give Chicago something useful in the bottom six before long.
Mustard had one of the eye-catching seasons on the roster at Providence, where he led the team in scoring with 29 points, including 17 goals and 12 assists. He finished ahead of names like Roger McQueen, who had 27 points and was a first-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in 2025, and Julius Sumpf, another Blackhawks development camp participant, who had 21. Mustard is headed back to Providence, but another strong year could put him in the picture for NHL ice time late in the 2026-27 season.
Parker Holmes and Nathan Behm took different paths this past season. Holmes, who skated with the Brantford Bulldogs alongside Marek Vanacker, put up 17 points in 49 games before being traded to the Sarnia Sting for the upcoming OHL season.
At 6-foot-4, he brings size, but the offense didn’t quite match up this year. Behm, on the other hand, put together a huge season with 86 points - 38 goals and 48 assists - a major jump from his draft year.
He’s committed to Arizona State University for the fall, and a strong NCAA debut could quickly boost his NHL outlook, whether that ends up being in Chicago or somewhere else.
The newest additions to the prospect pool will draw plenty of attention as well, especially Xavier Villeneuve and Ryan Roobroeck, the Blackhawks’ two early second-round picks from this past weekend. Villeneuve was seen by many as a first-round talent, but his size pushed him down the board. Roobroeck comes with his own questions, but the upside is obvious.
Villeneuve produced 38 points in 37 QMJHL games last season and will head to Boston University this fall, giving the NCAA stage a chance to show where his game is headed. Roobroeck put up 58 points in 49 OHL games with the Niagara IceDogs and has since been traded to the Guelph Storm for next season.
Of the five players Chicago selected in the NHL Draft, all but one will be at camp. Third-round pick Samu Alalauri will be there, as will seventh-round pick William Sörbrand. Alexander Ivanov is the lone draftee not attending.
Development camp is only part of what’s coming for the Blackhawks this week. NHL free agency and the new league year begin Wednesday, July 1, and reports indicate Bowen Byram will sign an extension that day.
Chicago could also make a move or two in free agency, though the expectation is that those additions won’t be the biggest headline-makers given the strength of the class. Trades remain in play as well, with the Blackhawks still looking to improve their roster.
More development camp updates and roster news are expected as the week rolls on. The NHL offseason is just getting going.
In Other News...
Blackhawks Fans Finally Get A Real Look At The Pipeline
The Blackhawks are about to give fans a much better look at the future. Chicago announced a 19-player roster for its upcoming Development Camp, and this years version will finally return to on-ice work at the Blackhawks Ice Center after the event had shifted to an off-ice format in 2023. The camp runs Tuesday through Thursday, with a mix of top prospects and recent draft picks set to take part as the organization starts putting its pipeline on display again.
There is plenty of intrigue in the group, too, with names such as Sacha Boisvert, Marek Vanacker, Vaclav Nestrasil and Mason West among those expected on the ice. Four of the Blackhawks five 2026 NHL Draft selections are also scheduled to attend, giving the team a chance to evaluate a broad slice of its prospect pool in one setting. Media availability is lined up during the week as well, offering a closer look at the players, coaches and management shaping what comes next. [Read more 🡒]