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Chicago Blackhawks: Top 5 prospects to get excited about in 2019

By Dave Stevenson

VICTORIA , BC - DECEMBER 26: Adam Boqvist #3 of Sweden versus Finland at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 26, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)
VICTORIA , BC - DECEMBER 26: Adam Boqvist #3 of Sweden versus Finland at the IIHF World Junior Championships at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on December 26, 2018 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images /

3. Ian Mitchell

Ian Mitchell followed his impressive 2017-18 campaign with the University of Denver with a slightly less impressive, but still very solid, sophomore season. He put up 27 points in 39 games and was one of their alternate captains. Mitchell will serve as the team captain for the 2019-20 season, which will likely be his last in college.

Much like Beaudin, he’s not that big – he’s just 5’11” and 174 pounds. However, Mitchell has a strong skillset and he’s lethal when he has the puck. He’s one of the best power-play quarterbacks in the NCAA. Mitchell can tiptoe across the blueline and his vision makes him great at the point.

This season should be a critical one for him. Mitchell will likely get the largest role he’s played yet for Denver. He’ll probably be asked to play in all situations, which is something he did towards the end of last season. Mitchell might not be big, but he’s a very good skater and has above-average defensive awareness.

Without Henri Jokiharju around, Mitchell’s development is critical for the Blackhawks. They might not have the Fantastic Four anymore, but they still have the Three Muskateers – Beaudin, Mitchell, and Adam Boqvist (who we’ll get to later). The Blackhawks defensive overhaul means they can afford to be patient with their trio.

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