In all professional sports, having a deep prospect pool full of incoming talent is key toward current and future success of the team. The Chicago Blackhawks rebuild has seen a plethora of young talent join the organization in a short amount of time.

As a result, the Blackhawks have one of the league’s top prospect pools with many young players showing traits that could help them carve out an NHL role someday. Though, having a large amount of prospects means that some will fly under the radar and end up being overshadowed by the “heavy hitters” in the pool.

For the Blackhawks, that is a good problem to have. The more young players that are succeeding in their respective leagues brings only more hope for the future.

These are three Chicago Blackhawks’ prospects who have put together successful seasons despite not getting as much recognition as others.

Ryan Greene

Greene is far from being an unknown prospect to Blackhawks fans, but his production this season is surely worth being discussed more.

Playing in his third year at Boston University (NCAA), Greene has been having his best season yet. The 2022 second-round pick has tallied 23 points in 21 games, the first time in his collegiate career that he is projected to finish with over a point per game.

Greene is not the flashiest player in the world, but he has an all-around game and is strong at both ends of the ice. His two-way game tied in with his skating and playmaking have been valuable assets to BU in his time playing in the NCAA.

There is much to like about Greene’s game on and off the ice. For starters, he wears the coveted “C” on his jersey as BU’s captain and brings leadership qualities as well as a strong understanding of the game from an offensive and defensive perspective.

It is reasonable to believe that Greene will sign his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks after his collegiate season concludes and will jump into action with the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) when that time comes.

Alex Pharand

Pharand’s game this season has reached new heights as he excels in what will be his final season of junior hockey.

Drafted in the fourth-round of the 2023 NHL Draft, Pharand’s standout traits were his size, skating, and overall compete level.

Standing at 6-foot-3 inches and 192 pounds, Pharand brings size that is not in abundance throughout the young forwards in the system. His offensive game has taken a step forward this season with 43 points in 40 games for the Sudbury Wolves (OHL), already surpassing his point total of 30 points in 68 games last season.

Pharand’s breakout season makes his stock rise dramatically in the Blackhawks’ system after having a step-back last season where he posted less points than the season prior.

As a big forward who brings speed and energy to the ice, Pharand’s offense taking that next step could be huge for his development going forward as he prepares to conclude his junior hockey career.

Next season, Pharand will join the IceHogs to being playing professional hockey. He will likely spend at least a couple of seasons in the AHL before getting serious looks at the NHL level, but his style of play could allow him to rise even further in the rankings.

Dominic James

James has bounded back mightily this season after injuries derailed his 2023-24 season.

The 2022 sixth-round pick had been making some noise in the NCAA with Minnesota-Duluth after 28 points in 35 games during his sophomore season, but only was able to see two games last year due to an upper-body injury took him out for the whole season.

However, James has returned this season and does not look like he’s missed a step. Currently sitting at 19 points in 21 NCAA games, James has had a strong season as a dangerous player in the collegiate ranks

James is a player who brings a lot of energy to the table, his combination of speed and work ethic are at the forefront of his game and are what made the Blackhawks drawn to him at the 2022 NHL Draft.

In his senior season, James’ offense has progressed nicely and has made him a threat at both ends of the ice this season. His defensive game has always been a strength of his game as he uses his high motor and instincts to his advantage.

James is expected to be another player who the Blackhawks sign to their entry-level contract after their NCAA season is over. After that, he will likely play next season in the AHL with Rockford as he looks to earn himself a role in the NHL full-time.