The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that the first four cuts from training camp have been made. These four players include Marek Vanacker, Martin Misiak, Alex Pharand, and Ty Henry.
All four of the players have been sent back to the OHL where they will play and develop more this season.
Vanacker was the Blackhawks’ 27th overall pick this year in the draft and the 18-year-old signed his entry-level deal on August 5. He finished his second season in the OHL for the Brantford Bulldogs ahead of being drafted with 36 goals and 82 points in 68 games. The winger also played for Canada at the U18 World Junior Championship in 2023-24. Chicago is hoping their first-round pick can improve again before taking a step to pro.
Misiak was drafted in the second round, 55th overall, by the Blackhawks in 2023. He made the jump from Slovakia/USHL in 2022-23 to the OHL last season, putting up 23 goals and 47 points in 60 games for the Erie Otters. At season’s end, he got to play one game in the AHL for Rockford IceHogs. He is being sent back to Erie to play another season though, then will make the full-time jump to pro.
Pharand is unsigned, but still attended training camp. He was selected by Chicago in the fourth round (99th overall) in 2023. He has been returned to the Sudbury Wolves where he will play his fourth season. He ended 2023-24 with 17 goals and 30 points in 68 games which was a step back from his prior season. He will have to show improvement this season if there’s any hope of the Blackhawks signing him to an entry-level deal.
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Henry is also unsigned and has been returned to the Erie Otters as well. The Blackhawks drafted him this year in the sixth round (163rd overall). The 18-year-old was a rookie in the OHL last season, recording seven assists in 54 games. He will have a couple more years to develop.
The Blackhawks’ training camp roster has now been cut down to 49 players, including 29 forwards, 14 defensemen, and 6 goalies.
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