Verdi: Boqvist just the latest link between Dallas and Blackhawks

DALLAS - If you want to feel really old, or if you already feel old but want to second your notion, or if you're so old that you forgot how old you are, along comes Adam Boqvist, whom the Blackhawks drafted eighth overall in Friday night's National Hockey League Draft.

He's 17, and still looks young enough to deliver your newspaper or run the neighborhood lemonade stand. By selecting earlier than they have in ages and much sooner than they want to for years to come, the Blackhawks solved one problem. When called upon to make their pick, at least it wasn't past Boqvist's bed time.

Really now, how many people do you know who were born in 2000?

But have no fear. The Blackhawks are quite familiar with this Swedish prodigy, a right shot who might have been the second-best defenseman available, behind only countryman Rasmus Dahlin, a transformational type taken No. 1 blindfolded by the Buffalo Sabres.

Boqvist, 5-foot-11 and 168 pounds, has some learning and growing to do. But so did Jeremy Roenick, chosen No. 8 by the Blackhawks three decades ago. He was a high school junior, a waif, a longshot who looked like he needed a meal. Roenick became the third American to score 500 goals, and that was before the NHL went with its present style of perpetual motion.

"Erik Karlsson," said Boqvist, when asked about his role model, idol, inspiration. Not a bad choice. Karlsson is a blueline virtuoso for the Ottawa Senators, the prototypical modern defenseman. Speed, hands, activate or perish. Boqvist just signed another contract with his Brynas junior team back home and figures he's maybe a couple years away from the NHL.

"Pleasantly surprised," said senior vice president/general manager Stan Bowman about Boqvist's availability when the Blackhawks turn arrived. Wait, there's more. Nicolas Beaudin, another defenseman, was taken at No. 27. Coming soon to the United Center: the Blackhawks are well fortified with potential at this position.

"We really had a very good night," said Mark Kelley, vice president/Amateur Scouting. "We had Boqvist ranked in our top five and Beaudin in our top 15. They've both got to mature, of course, but both are the kind of player that if you went to watch a game, you would say, 'who's that?' Boqvist has enormous potential. He touches the puck a lot, but not for long. One pass, and he's generating offense. He's got the frame to become naturally stronger and bigger, and the hockey IQ is special."

Last year on draft day, Bowman rocked the scene by dealing Artemi Panarin to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Brandon Saad and Anton Forsberg. Then Bowman acquired Connor Murphy from the Arizona Coyotes for Niklas Hjalmarsson, a fellow Swede much admired by Boqvist.

"Three Stanley Cups in Chicago for him, right?" said Boqvist. "There have been a lot of Swedish players there. A lot of Swedish people in the city. I spent a week there last year at the draft, when my brother Jesper was selected in the second round by New Jersey, so I know a little bit about Chicago. Tonight, I got a message from Jonathan Toews. Face time, right after I was picked. Right here (pointing to cellphone). He said he is looking forward to meeting me and playing with me. I am looking forward to meeting him. This is all very exciting, but I have a lot of improving to do with my defensive skills."

So, this is where the Blackhawks came to procure talent Friday night and Saturday. Once, this is where the Blackhawks used to assign the future for grooming.

The Dallas Black Hawks were the premier pipeline of players to Chicago. The Black Hawks were part of a rough and tumble Central Hockey League. They used to be the St. Louis Braves, but when St. Louis joined the NHL as an expansion franchise in 1967, the farm club moved here and became quite an item.

If you were a young player performing well in Dallas, you might get a call to go to Chicago. If you were a young player not really cutting it in Chicago, you would be shipped back to Dallas. Neither direction caused protracted angst among the athletes, all of whom naturally wanted to be in the big show but few of whom minded a tour of duty here in the wild West. The boys of winter enjoyed Dallas.

It wasn't quite like when the White Sox had a farm club in Hawaii, but close. I mean, if you have to play in the minor leagues, Hawaii ain't bad. As one ballplayer remarked, you waited for the phone to ring but sort of hoped it doesn't.

Look at Bob Murray. He used to play defense for Dallas, was promoted to Chicago, where he had an exemplary career, and now he's here as general manager of the Anaheim Ducks. With the Blackhawks, Murray was the perfect partner for Doug Wilson, here as general manager of the San Jose Sharks. Murray, who didn't waste his ability fighting, still logged 130 penalty minutes during his one full season in Dallas because that was the CHL code of conduct.

"Interesting experience," quoth Murray, who can regale you with tales of games against the hated Fort Worth farm club, first named the Wings, then the Texans. Fort Worth was the breeding ground for the Detroit Red Wings, and the rivalry was fierce, even before 10-cent beer night became part of the equation. It wasn't enough that benches often emptied when these two teams met. Why not have chaos in the stands too? In 1972, their thirst quenched, Dallas fans decided to share a few brews with the visiting Wings. The Wings then visited the seating area, but not to say thanks for the refreshments.

Friday night in the American Airlines Center, sheltered from 102 degrees outside, fans from around the NHL observed politely, many in throwback jerseys. Speaking of which, I have neckties older than Adam Boqvist.

• Editor's note: As part of an alliance with the Blackhawks, the Daily Herald offers occasional reports by Team Historian Bob Verdi, who writes for the team's website at www.chicagoblackhawks.com.