The Chicago Blackhawks rounded out their 2024 NHL Draft by selecting only their second defenseman of the weekend. After taking four forwards on Saturday, with Joel Svensson being the most recent pick, the Blackhawks decided to add to their blue line. With the 163rd pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the Hawks selected defenseman Ty Henry from the Erie Otters of the OHL.
Henry is the definition of a defensive defenseman coming out of the OHL. Henry only posted seven assists in 54 games with Erie in 2023-24, showing his lack of offensive flare. However, the big defenseman does everything right defensively. He has good positioning, good hockey sense, and the necessary skills to become a shutdown defenseman.
The 6-foot-3 Henry hails from Montreal, QC. Despite being just 17 years of age, Henry has NHL-level skating that helps his competent defense. He'll need a few years of development, but the Blackhawks have had success with late picks providing depth in the organization. Isaak Phillips was a late-round pick who is now a solid depth piece on the blue line. Henry may have a chance to be better than that as he progresses moving forward.
Here's what Elite Prospects said about Henry:
The 6-foot-4 defenceman brings NHL-calibre skating and a clear dimension: Defence. On retrievals, Henry wins body positioning early, then sinks into a deep, explosive punch turn for the escape. He’s a quick, fluid mover who easily closes the distance on opponents, especially laterally. His physicality shines along the boards, where he matches footwork, closes the distance, and battles to get inside the hands. When all else fails, his mobility and reach allow him to recover and disrupt.
