Write-up from 2014:
"The future University of Denver commit really impressed our staff this season. Drafted 240th Overall in the 2013 USHL Entry Draft out of Elk River High School in Minnesota, Hillman proved to be an steal at that pick. Blake has great hockey sense and has as good of anticipation of the play as just about anyone viewed this season. He is great at picking off passes, but especially in the neutral zone where he keeps tight gaps with his excellent skating ability. His anticipation combined with his active stick make neutral zone play tough, let alone offensive zone entry. He steps up very well on attacking players and space is at a major premium at his defensive blue line. He is quick in transition and wins most races to dump-ins.
His decision making is strong, and he has a lot of confidence in his vision and passing ability. He isn’t afraid to make short little chip passes to his centers in the middle of the defensive zone ice or make the long stretch pass.
Blake has a rocket for a slap shot and gets it off quickly. He’s also l just as willing and able to make a move at the blue line with pressure to open up a shooting lane and let a good wrister go. He likes to jump up into the play and into rushes coming up ice. He only had 13 points this season but there is higher offensive upside there as he gets more confident and that is also an attribute to his defense-first mentality. He displays great poise with the puck and loses no speed when carrying it. There is definitely higher offensive output there going forward in his career. "