Exclusive interview with Brantford Bulldogs forwards and Chicago Blackhawks prospect, Nick Lardis, and an in-depth breakdown of his elite goal-scoring ability.

Brantford Bulldogs superstar winger Nick Lardis, also a Chicago Blackhawks prospect, joined elite company last week when he notched his 50th goal of the season in his 49th game of the year.

The Oakville, Ontario native joined some pretty elite company, becoming just the eighth OHL player to score 50 goals in less than 50 games, and the first to do it since Nick Robertson did with the Peterborough Petes in 2019-20.

Additionally, Lardis scored his 52nd goal of the year in his most recent game, on Feb. 8. This surpassed the record set by Bulldogs alumnus Arthur Kaliyev — 51 goals in 2018-19 — for the most goals in a single season by a Bulldogs player.

We had the opportunity to chat with Lardis and ask him about the incredible season he’s had, and below we are going to break down what makes Lardis so special as an elite goal-scorer.

Lardis was drafted 67th overall in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. He signed his entry-level contract with them on Apr. 4, 2024.

He grew up in Toronto watching the Maple Leafs a lot, but funny enough, he also enjoyed watching the Blackhawks during the Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane era.

“My favorite player growing up was Patrick Kane. Seeing how dynamic he was there,” said Lardis.

“He was a guy that I really admired and tried to learn from as a kid. The way he stickhandles and thinks the game at another level compared to everyone. But growing up more in junior hockey, guys in the NHL like Kyle Connor, Clayton Keller, or Tim Stutzle, those kind of guys I think I play a similar game to are players I like to watch a lot now.”