Chicago swings deal with Carolina for a third first-round selection in 2024. Sends two second-round picks, 34th and 50th, to Hurricanes.
The Chicago Blackhawks acquired a third first-round pick in the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft, then used that 27th overall slot to select forward Marek Vanacker from the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL.
The Blackhawks picked up the 27th selection from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for the 34th and 50th overall picks (second-rounders) in the 2024 draft.
Chicago had already selected defenseman Artyom Levshunov with the No. 2 overall pick and forward Sacha Boisvert in the 18th slot. See stories in the links.
Then general manager Kyle Davidson stayed nimble and completed a trade with Carolina to nab another first-rounder. See video.
Vanacker, 18, posted career highs in games played (68), goals (36), assists (46) and points (82) with the Bulldogs during the 2023-24 campaign. His 36 goals and 82 points led the team, while his 46 assists ranked second among Bulldogs skaters.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Vanacker is known for a dogged, hard-working style and played part of last season with torn labrum in his left shoulder. He had surgery several weeks ago and expected to be sidelined until December.
The Delhi, Ontario native has appeared in 123 regular-season games with Brantford from 2022-24, compiling 40 goals and 98 points,
With the Bulldogs, Vanacker has played with fellow Blackhawks draft pick Nick Lardis (2023, 67th overall) the past two seasons. He has recorded seven points (3G, 4A) in 12 career OHL postseason games.
Vanacker helped Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2024 U18 IIHF World Championship, posting one goal in six games.
After selecting Vanacker, Chicago has now made the most first-round selections of any NHL club over the last three NHL Drafts (Eight picks). The Blackhawks have four picks left in the 2024 NHL Draft.
