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West Dundee's Hartman hopes to hit it big with Hawks

The drafting of West Dundee's Ryan Hartman got a bit lost in all the news the Blackhawks made Sunday.

Before the Hawks traded Dave Bolland to Toronto, Michael Frolik to Winnipeg and re-signed unrestricted free agent Bryan Bickell to a four-year, $16 million contract, they drafted Hartman 30th in the first round of the NHL entry draft.

Hartman, a 5-foot-11, 187-pound right wing from the Plymouth Whalers had 23 goals last season, 60 points and 120 penalty minutes in the Ontario Hockey League.

Hartman, who said Jonathan Toews is his favorite player, hits and will fight anyone.

“He's a guy you love on your team but hate to play against,” a scout told The Hockey News. “The thing you like about him is his consistency. He plays hard every game and then you look at the score sheet at the end of the night and there he is.”

Hartman was a tower of strength as a third-line grinder for U.S. in the World Junior Championships. He had 2 goals, 3 points and was plus-4 in seven games.

“He's not the biggest guy, but he shows no fear of getting involved and battles for the puck,” NHL Central Scouting's Chris Edwards told NHL.com. “He can hit hard and is aggressive on the forecheck. He sees the ice well, gets the puck through traffic with creative passes and offers a very good shot that he gets off quickly.”

Hartman had an impressive showing at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

After delivering the game's first big hit on Team Orr MVP Laurent Dauphin less than 30 seconds into the contest, he went toe to toe with Kerby Rychel of the Windsor Spitfires in a fight.

A product of the Chicago Mission midget program, Hartman had 16 goals and 41 points last season in 59 games with the United States National Team Development Program under-18 team.

“Ryan is one of the best skaters in this year's draft class,” Edwards said. “He has a long, smooth stride and his agility, acceleration and speed are all excellent.

“He's not the biggest guy, but he shows no fear of getting involved and battles for the puck. He can hit hard and is aggressive on the forecheck.”

ŸThe Hawks took defenseman Carl Dahlstrom from Sweden's Djurgarden in the second round (51st overall).

In the third round with the 74th pick, the Hawks selected Chicago-born center John Hayden from the U.S. National Team Development Program.

The Hawks grabbed defenseman Robin Norell from Sweden's Djurgarden Jr. in the fourth round with the 111th pick overall.

Then in the fourth round, the Hawks took center Tyler Motte from the U.S. National Team Development Program at 121 overall.

The Hawks closed the draft by taking center Luke Johnson from the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League in the fifth round (134th overall); center Anthony Louis from the U.S. National Team Development Program in the sixth round (181st overall); and defenseman Robin Press from the Sweden's Sodertalje in the seventh round (211th overall).

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