2024 NHL Draft: Chicago Blackhawks Select AJ Spellacy No. 72 Overall

With the 72nd overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks selected center AJ Spellacy.

AJ Spellacy, C

6-3, 201
DOB: Feb. 24, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Windsor (OHL)

Ranked #90 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #64 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #72 by THN/FERRARI
Ranked #72 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #186 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #69 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #72 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #86 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #73 by SMAHT SCOUTING

From Steven Ellis (Daily Faceoff — No. 69 overall):Spellacy is one of the best skaters in this draft, with his athleticism being evident all year long, too. He reminds me a bit of a younger Miles Wood – someone who can clearly shoot the puck and with a high level of physicality. That makes sense, given he almost went to play Division I NCAA football, but he made the move to stick in hockey and I think he made the right call. He’s not going to be a high-end producer, but he’ll be a decent depth scorer who brings energy and skill.

From Dobber Prospects:Massive, speedy forward who lives for net drives and hard back-checks. Projects better as a winger. Needs to work on his delay game, reads and habits, but has middle-six upside as a power forward.

From The Hockey News:Spellacy’s biggest strength in his game is his explosive speed. With the puck, he can separate himself from defenders in a flash and brings a ton of value on the penalty kill and to a team that likes to attack off the rush. Without the puck, he uses that speed and motor to catch opponents and not allow any easy ice out there.

written by

Tab Bamford has been writing about the Chicago Blackhawks for almost two decades. He joined Bleacher Nation as the lead Blackhawks writer in May 2022. Tab is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and is the author of two books about the Blackhawks: "100 Things Blackhawks Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" (Triumph Books) and "Chicago Blackhawks: An Illustrated Timeline" (Reedy Press, 2021). Find him on Twitter/X/Instagram/Threads at @The1Tab

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