OHL In The System: Chicago Blackhawks

As the 2025 NHL Draft concludes and development camps kick off across the National Hockey League, we’re diving into the current and former OHL talent within each NHL Club’s prospect pool.

This 32-part series will spotlight OHL players who are either signed to an NHL or AHL contract or are recently drafted, and are 25 years old or younger with 50 or fewer NHL games played.

Join us for OHL In the System!

Today, we explore the prospect pool of the Chicago Blackhawks.

 

Parker Holmes (LW) – Brantford Bulldogs (2024-25)
Selected: 4th Round, 107th Overall (2025)
OHL Career Stats: 21 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PTS, -8
Age: 18

Standing at 6-foot-4, the power forward brings an imposing mix of size and strength to the wing. Although his season was cut short due to injury, Holmes’ blend of physical tools and offensive upside earned him a fourth-round selection by the Chicago Blackhawks this past weekend.

 

Marek Vanacker (LW) – Hamilton/Brantford Bulldogs (2022-25)
Selected: 1st Round, 27th Overall (2024)
OHL Career Stats: 168 GP, 64 G, 76 A, 140 PTS, -2
Age: 19

Despite missing the first 23 games of the 2024–25 season due to off-season shoulder surgery, Marek Vanacker made a strong return with 42 points (24-18–42) in 45 games. Following Brantford’s second-round playoff exit, he joined the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs for their Calder Cup run.

 

AJ Spellacy (C) –Windsor Spitfires (2022-25)
Selected: 3rd Round, 72nd Overall (2024)
OHL Career Stats: 176 GP, 46 G, 46 A, 92 PTS, -20
Age: 18

The Westlake, Ohio native wrapped up his third season with the Windsor Spitfires by recording 37 points (18-19–37) in 62 regular-season games. Limited by injury during the playoffs, he appeared in just five games, posting three points (1-2–3). He got his first taste of professional hockey after joining the IceHogs for their playoff run.

 

Jack Pridham (RW) – Kitchener Rangers (2024-25)
Selected: 3rd Round, 92nd Overall (2024)
OHL Career Stats: 48 GP, 27 G, 27 A, 54 PTS, +22
Age: 19

Thanks to a recent NCAA rule change, the Kitchener Rangers were able to add winger Jack Pridham to their lineup. In his first OHL season, Pridham quickly established himself as one of the team’s top offensive contributors, finishing third in team scoring with 54 points (27-27–54). His clutch play carried into the postseason, where he added 13 points (7-6–13) over 16 games. With several options on the table for the 19-year-old, it remains unclear where he’ll begin the 2025-26 season. 

 

Ty Henry (D) – Erie Otters (2023-25)
Selected: 6th Round, 163rd Overall (2024)
OHL Career Stats: 120 GP, 1 G, 23 A, 24PTS, -6
Age: 18

The 6-foot-4 blueliner is a highly touted, defensive-minded defenceman who blends physicality with strong skating ability. This past season with the Otters, he recorded his first OHL goal and added 16 assists.

 

Martin Misiak (C) – Erie Otters (2023-25)
Selected: 2nd Round, 55th Overall (2023)
Signed: May 28, 2024
OHL Career Stats: 120 GP, 46 G, 60 A, 106 PTS, -28
Age: 20

Martin Misiak holds the rare distinction of being a top-two pick in back-to-back CHL Import Drafts – selected second overall by Saginaw in 2022, then first overall by the Erie Otters in 2023. His offensive impact was immediate in his sophomore OHL season, nearly averaging a point per game with 59 points (23-36–59) in 60 regular-season contests.

 

Nick Lardis (LW) – Peterborough Petes (2021-23), Hamilton/Brantford Bulldogs (2022-25)
Selected: 3rd Round, 67th Overall (2023)
OHL Career Stats:  234 GP, 155 G, 114 A, 269 PTS, +39
Age: 19

Nick Lardis delivered a historic campaign, leading the OHL with 71 goals to become just the eighth player in league history to reach the 70-goal milestone. He became the first Brantford Bulldog to eclipse both the 60-and 70-goal marks in a single season. His 117 points ranked fourth league-wide and set a new franchise single-season record, earning him a spot on the OHL First All-Star Team.

 

Paul Ludwinski (C) – Kingston Frontenacs (2021-24)
Selected: 2nd Round, 39th Overall (2022)
OHL Career Stats: 174 GP, 48 G, 98 A, 146 PTS, -14
Age: 21

Former Kingston Frontenacs captain Paul Ludwinski completed his first AHL season with the Rockford IceHogs. While he didn’t post big numbers offensively, his high-end speed and relentless motor ensured he remained a noticeable presence on the ice.

 

Gavin Hayes (RW) – Flint Firebirds (2021-24), Soo Greyhounds (2023-24)
Selected: 3rd Round, 66th Overall (2022)
OHL Career Stats: 186 GP, 97 G, 109 A, 206 PTS, +45
Age: 21

Named Rockford’s Most Improved Player in his AHL rookie season, Gavin Hayes overcame a two-month shoulder injury absence to post six points (2-4–6) over a four-game stretch. A former 40-goal scorer in the OHL, he remains an intriguing offensive presence in the Blackhawks’ system. 

 

Ethan Del Mastro (D) – Mississauga Steelheads (2019-23), Sarnia Sting (2022-23)
Selected: 4th Round, 105th Overall (2021)
OHL Career Stats: 177 GP, 14 G, 100 A, 114 PTS,+44
Age: 22

Considered one of the top two-way defenders the OHL has produced in recent years, Ethan Del Mastro split the 2024–25 season between the Rockford IceHogs and the big Chicago Blackhawks. He recorded his first NHL goal on February 27, 2025, against the Vegas Golden Knights and will look to earn a full-time spot in the Blackhawks’ lineup this fall. 

 

Dmitry Kuzmin (D) – Flint Firebirds (2021-23)
Acquired via trade: January 15, 2025
OHL Career Stats: 122 GP, 32 G, 71 A, 103 PTS, +18
Age: 22

Dmitry Kuzmin joined the Blackhawks organization in an AHL-level deal that involved the exchange of defencemen with the Winnipeg Jets. A dynamic offensive contributor during his time with the Firebirds, Kuzmin brings a balanced game and will aim to secure a key role in Rockford next season. 

 

Ryan Mast (D) – Sarnia Sting (2019-23)
Acquired via trade: June 13, 2025
OHL Career Stats: 168 GP, 18 G, 54 A, 72 PTS, 0
Age: 22

In early June, Chicago acquired another blueliner – this time from the Boston Bruins. The 6-foot-5 defender played a key role in helping the Sarnia Sting reach the 2023 Western Conference Final and made his pro debut the following season with the AHL’s Providence Bruins. Mast will look for a fresh start in the Blackhawks system with the IceHogs.

 

Mitchell Weeks (G) – Sudbury Wolves (2018-22)
Signed: July 22, 2024
OHL Career Stats: 95 GP, 36-44-3-5, 3.97 GAA, .888 SV%
Age: 24

Originally the first overall pick of the 2018 OHL U18 Priority Selection, Mitchell Weeks’ game has come a long way as he enters his fourth season of pro hockey. The Barrie, Ont. native stepped-up his game, spending the entire season with Rockford of the AHL, going 11-16-4 with a 3.28 goals-against average and .886 save percentage.

 

Tomorrow on In The System, we’ll take a look at the OHL Talent inside the Nashville Predators organization!