NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Blackhawks traded back up into the first round with Carolina, acquiring the 27th overall pick in exchange for both of Chicago’s second-round picks (Nos. 34 and 50).
With the 27th pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks selected left wing Marek Vanacker.
Marek Vanacker, LW
6-0, 178
DOB: April 12, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Brantford (OHL)
Ranked #34 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #33 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #28 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #34 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #43 by THN/FERRARI
Ranked #31 by THN/KENNEDY
Ranked #32 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #50 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS
Ranked #80 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #47 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #17 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #46 by HPR/MALLOY
Ranked #69 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #26 by SPORTSNET/COSENTINO
Ranked #27 by SPORTSNET/BUKALA
Ranked #38 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #53 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #31 by SMAHT SCOUTING
From NHL Central Scouting: “The Blackhawks get another pick in the first round by trading picks No. 34 and 50 to the Carolina Hurricanes to take Vanacker (6-0, 178), who led Brantford with 82 points (36 goals, 46 assists) in 68 games. The 18-year-old scored one goal in six games to help Canada win the gold medal at the World U-18s. Most impressive was he played almost the entire season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He had surgery in June and is expected to need 4-6 months to recover.“
From Corey Pronman (The Athletic): “Vanacker had a strong second OHL season scoring at over a point/game clip for Brantford but he wasn’t great with Canada in the spring. He’s a strong skating winger with very good hands. He can beat defenders often off the rush and creates a lot of controlled entries. Vanacker isn’t going to run players over, but he’s a decent-sized forward who works hard, wins a lot of 50/50 pucks and gets to the net to create offense. He makes plays but I wouldn’t call him a top-tier playmaker or a true offensive threat. He has the traits of a bottom six wing in the league.“
From Scott Wheeler (The Athletic): “Vanacker is a player who, after he impressed me in an early season live viewing, I immediately made time for on tape and asked around about. Since then, I’ve become more and more of a fan. After a good showing in the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game’s combine testing, he found another level in the second half to finish as Bulldogs’ leading scorer after Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis went down with an injury in January, with 36 goals and 82 points in 68 games at season’s end (while playing through a shoulder injury that he has now had surgery on). I’m not reading too much into a quiet U18s, as he was really banged up by then, too.
Vanacker showed real confidence on the attack this season with the puck in his hands, building on his strong foundation of tools and habits to really develop his game offensively. There’s a lot to like. He’s got size, he’s a really strong skater, he’ll take pucks to the net, he protects and shields the puck well, he knows where to be and go on the ice, he’s got a solid two-way game and he works to get the most out of his above-average skill. He’s got the makings of a complementary winger and he knows who he is and what he’s going to have to be up levels. He’s just a good hockey player who will be a good pro. He was my final cut at forward for this list.“
From Steven Ellis (Daily Faceoff): “There’s a lot to like about Vanacker’s game. He’s not great defensively, for sure, but he moves so well with the puck and creates quality scoring chances on a consistent basis. He was just a depth forward a year ago, but now he’s the one doing so much of the heavy lifting for Brantford. While I’m projecting him as a second-rounder, some teams like him as a top-32 pick. If there’s one thing he’s good at, it’s working until he’s got nothing left in the tank. He’ll start the 2024-25 season dealing with a shoulder injury, but that shouldn’t hurt his draft stock.“
