There have been some eyebrows raised when the Chicago Blackhawks chosen defenseman Sam Rinzel twenty fifth within the 2022 NHL Draft.
Rinzel wasn’t an unknown, however the Blackhawks jumped additional forward to take him than most groups would have. It did assist that the Blackhawks had already made two first-round alternatives and have been able the place they may very well be further affected person. Blackhawks director of newbie scouting Mike Doneghey described Rinzel as being on “the longer path” of growth on the draft.
And now, after permitting Rinzel that longer path, the Blackhawks are prepared for him to take that subsequent step. Rinzel has determined to forgo his last two years on the College of Minnesota and signal with the Blackhawks, the crew introduced Saturday. He’s anticipated to make his NHL debut this season. The Blackhawks are additionally signing his Minnesota teammate and 2023 first-round pick Oliver Moore.
The Blackhawks drafted Rinzel within the first spherical as a result of they thought his skating and dimension had the potential to make him an elite defenseman. His recreation was uncooked, however they thought one other 12 months within the USHL and in faculty underneath Minnesota coach Bob Motzko would get him the place he wanted to be. He additionally wanted weight and muscle. That took extra time, however it lastly began to reach final season. He added about 10 kilos and is at about 190 kilos to go along with his 6-foot-4 body.
“The large stride for him was what he did within the offseason,” Motzko stated earlier this season. “The gamers that we take care of, they’re all totally different sizes and styles, however they’re boys. They’re not males but. That’s the best factor we obtained going. We’re working with these proficient younger gamers who’re going from boy to man energy. It’s simply how genetics work. Some come sooner and a few take time. The good factor for him is he’s obtained nice genetics, and it’s coming. And then you definately watch as extra confidence grows in his recreation. Fearless to make performs with the puck. We’re simply scratching the floor. He’s obtained an entire ’nother stage to hit but.”
Rinzel’s confidence took off this season with that added weight. He wasn’t knocked off the puck as simply. He was extra aggressive getting in for puck battles. His offense additionally elevated. He performed with the puck as if he felt he may management the sport.
Rinzel’s numbers supported that, too. His offense declined late within the season, however he was close to the highest of faculty hockey in defenseman objectives and factors for a lot of the season. On the time of Minnesota’s elimination from the NCAA Event on Thursday, he sat tied for eighth amongst defensemen with 10 objectives and sixth with 32 factors.
Blackhawks normal supervisor Kyle Davidson stated earlier this season that Rinzel was turning into what they envisioned again in 2022.
“Sam was the goal participant for us,” Davidson stated. “And he was somebody that we had a ton of curiosity in that draft. And so, we had excessive expectations, excessive beliefs for what he may grow to be primarily based on his ability set and his instruments. I used to be actually enthusiastic about getting him on the time, and I knew he was going to be a little bit little bit of a longer-track prospect. And we’re actually seeing him take some massive strides right here this 12 months.
“He had a extremely sturdy 12 months final 12 months, however he simply appears like a completely totally different participant once more this 12 months, and I believe that comes with rising into his ability set, rising into his physique after which only a ton of confidence. He’s carried out an excellent job making ready himself to maintain making these strides.”
In The Athletic’s 2025 top 100 drafted NHL prospects ranking, launched in February, Rinzel ranked 54th. He’s the Blackhawks’ fourth-ranked prospect.
Scouting report
Rinzel’s enchantment is all about potential as a result of it has all the time felt like he’s simply scratching the floor, however a few of that’s beginning to be scratched now. He discovered one other stage after coming back from the 2024 World Juniors in Gothenburg and hasn’t seemed again, changing into one of many prime defensemen in faculty hockey as a sophomore.
He’s a protracted, right-shot defender who thrives in transition, has room to fill out his body, has already rapidly performed catch-up along with his friends and has time (due to a late June birthday) to do much more of that. He’s a fluid skater with an energetic stick and an keen strategy to taking part in offense and protection that retains him concerned in all three zones (which comes with some good and unhealthy, however extra good than unhealthy). His recreation was once a little bit haywire, his play choice wanted some buttoning up and he’d often get burned, however all of these issues have began to fall into place as he has gotten extra reps and his ability and expertise have taken over.
You’ll be able to see the instruments, and he’s beginning to determine tips on how to deploy and make the most of them in a extra cohesive manner. You’ll be able to see his confidence constructing in actual time as he begins to appear to be extra than simply his size and skating, too. He can influence play when he’s studying the sport nicely.
Whereas he was a piece in progress when he was drafted and nonetheless has loads of growth in entrance of him, he’s already a lot much less uncooked. He initiatives as an attention-grabbing top-six defenseman with actual upside.
(Photograph: Bruce Bennett / Getty Photographs)
