Skilled and physical forward from Québec will skate at University of North Dakota next season. Story updated with videos.
The Chicago Blackhawks selected forward Sacha Boisvert with the 18th overall pick in the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft on Friday in Las Vegas.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound native of Trois-Rivières, Quebec scored 36 goals and 68 points in 61 games with the USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2023-24, improving markedly in second season with the junior club. Boisvert is committed to play next season with the University of North Dakota.
Blackhawks 2024 draftee Sacha Boisvert
Muskegon Lumberjacks
"He's another young guy who came into his own this year, had a really strong, consistent performance in the USHL with Muskegon," said Dan Marr, vice president of NHL Central Scouting. "He's the guy that brings the combination of skill and physicality, he likes to play that power forward game, he can defend himself, he can win the 1-on-1 battles and he initiates the 1-on-1 battles. This is a guy that when you go into a scrum, he's going to come out with the puck."
Boisvert also is known for hockey sense and a heavy shot. Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson said the forward, who should fill out and get stronger at North Dakota nest season, was the type of player the Blackhawks hoped to get in the No. 18 slot. See following video.
Boisvert left a francophone environment in Trois-Rivières, midway between Montréal and Québec City, to attend Mount St. Charles Academy in Rhode Island as a 14-year-old. Boisvert learned English in a hurry and accelerated his hockey trajectory as well.
Second of Three Eventual First-Round Picks for Chicago
The Blackhawks had already taken Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov with the No. 2 overall pick at the Sphere, deepening their already impressive pool of young D-men. See story in link:
Chicago obtained this year's 18th pick in a trade with the New York Islanders last month. The Blackhawks sent an existing second first-round pick (20th overall) and two second-round picks (54th and 61st overall) to the New York Islanders. Chicago also got the the 50th overall pick, in the second round from the Isles in the deal.
Davidson hinted he might move 2024 draft picks, and apparently has prioritized quality — albeit slightly — over quantity.
The Blackhawks received two 2024 selections from the Isles in exchange. Chicago got or 18th spot the second round.
The Blackhawks had originally acquired the No. 20 pick in 2024 from the Tampa Bay Lightning as part of the trade for forward Brandon Hagel on March 18, 2022.
Following Friday's trade with the Islanders, the Blackhawks have eight picks in the 2024 draft, including six picks in the first three rounds.
