Roenick’s nephew among Hawks’ Day 2 picks
Time will tell if the Blackhawks found another gem on the second day of the entry draft Saturday like they did a year ago when they plucked Andrew Shaw in the fifth round.
It could be gritty winger Chris Calnan, the 6-foot-2, 187-pound nephew of Jeremy Roenick, who they grabbed in the third round with the 79th selection.
Or it might be 6-5 Victoriaville goalie Brandon Whitney, who was still available in the seventh round when the Hawks made him the 191st pick.
In all, the Hawks took seven more players on Saturday — two defensemen, three forwards and two goaltenders.
“We were able to accomplish what we wanted,” general manager Stan Bowman told reporters. “We got a mixture of different positions and different style players. We got some skill, we got some size and we got a couple goaltenders.
“Our objective coming in was to not only find the best players but round out our depth chart.”
In the second round, the Hawks grabbed defenseman Dillon Fournier from Rouyn-Naranda in the Quebec League then went for Calnan in the third round.
Calnan is a banger who played at Noble and Greenough Prep School in suburban Boston. He has committed to Boston College.
“We like his game,” Bowman said of Calnan.
“He’s got a big body and works hard,” said Mark Kelley, the Hawks’ director of amateur scouting. “Where you really notice him is around the net. He really forces the issue.”
In the fifth round, the Hawks went back to Saginaw in hopes of duplicating last year’s success with Brandon Saad, selecting left winger Garret Ross, who was Saad’s teammate.
After going with Moose Jaw defenseman Travis Brown with their second pick in the fifth round, the Hawks went for center Vincent Hinostroza, from Waterloo of the USHL.
Hinostroza is a native of Bartlett, who grew up a Hawks fan.
“This has always been a dream of mine,” Hinostroza told reporters. “I grew up watching the Hawks.”
The Hawks then used their final two picks in the seventh round on goalies in Whitney and Matt Tomkins of Sherwood Park.
None of the players the Hawks took over the weekend, including first-rounder Teuvo Teravainen, are expected to crack the lineup in the fall.
Saturday’s biggest trade came after the draft when Philadelphia sent winger James van Riemsdyk to Toronto for defenseman Luke Schenn.
Bowman may have laid some groundwork for a deal down the road, likely involving defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson.
“There’s been a lot of talk the last week, but nothing panned out,” Bowman said. “That doesn’t mean there won’t be more trades to come. I wouldn’t rule anything in or out for us.”
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Newest Blackhawks prospects
Heres a recap of 8 prospects selected by the Chicago Blackhawks during the two-day NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh:
Rd. Player Pos. Last team Age Ht./Wt.
1. Teuvo Teräväinen F Jokerit (SM-liiga) 17 5-11/165
2. Dillon Fournier D Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL) 18 6-2/181
3. Chris Calnan F Noble & Greenough (HS-MA) 18 6-2/190
5. * Garret Ross F Saginaw Spirit (OHL) 20 6-0/169
5. Travis Brown D Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) 18 6-1/161
6. Vincent Hinostroza F Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) 18 5-9/153
7 ** Brandon Whitney G Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) 18 6-5/191
7 Matt Tomkins G Sherwood Park Kings (AJHL) 18 6-2/174
* Acquired from N.Y. Rangers on Feb. 27, 2012 in exchange for John Scott
** Acquired from San Jose Sharks along with a 2013 fourth-round selection on June 23, 2012 in exchange for the 109th overall selection in the 2012 Draft