Sacha Boisvert, the 18th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, has finally joined the Chicago Blackhawks on the ice after an eight-day wait for his work visa. Tuesday morning saw him participating in the team's skate ahead of their game against the New York Islanders, marking the first time Boisvert and fellow first-round pick Anton Frondell skated with the team.
Boisvert sported his No. 12 jersey at UBS Arena, while Frondell wore No. 15.
Although Frondell is set to make his NHL debut in Long Island, Boisvert will have to bide his time a bit longer. Head coach Jeff Blashill noted that they received Boisvert’s visa clearance just before practice, meaning his debut will likely happen later in the road trip against the Flyers, Rangers, or Devils.
During the morning skate, Boisvert worked as an extra during line rushes but got valuable individual coaching from Blashill and the staff. With Blashill being new to the Blackhawks and Boisvert missing training camp due to NHL/NCAA rules, there's still some unfamiliarity between them. Blashill wants to assess Boisvert in practice before adding him to the lineup.
Frondell, with two years of pro experience, will jump right into action, debuting on the Blackhawks’ top line with Connor Bedard and Ryan Greene. Boisvert, coming from college hockey, will likely start on the third or fourth line when he makes his debut. This approach aims to ease him into the NHL without overwhelming him, especially after a challenging sophomore season at Boston University, where he tallied just 17 points in 26 games.
The Blackhawks hope to leverage Boisvert’s size and physicality in a bottom-six role, allowing him to acclimate to the NHL pace and identify areas for growth. This strategy is part of a broader vision, as the team looks to the future with seven first-round picks, all selected by GM Kyle Davidson since 2022, set to hit the ice during this road trip.
Though the playoffs are out of reach this season, the remaining 12 games offer a glimpse into the Blackhawks' future. With young talent like Boisvert and Frondell stepping up, fans have plenty to be excited about as the team continues its rebuild journey.