Confirmed with Link: Blackhawks Draft C Anthony Louis 181st Overall

[Easton Modano Curve]

Bill Sweatt was a good prospcct in 2007. Phillips, Broadhurst and Carruth were 7th round picks, and Carruth and Broadhurst have become solid prospecs. Hinostroza's another really solid prospect.. and obviously Hartman, Hayden and Louis are all good/solid prospects.

Before this draft, Chicago had drafted 4 Illinois kids in 4 years. Considering the amount of talent from Illinois, I don't find that shocking. The only thing you can really draw from it is that Chicago really likes drafting Americans.

I'm not saying Chicago players aren't good. Look at myhockeyrankings (http://myhockeyrankings.com/index.php). Chicago Mission AAA was ranked top 2 at every level in Tier 1 except for Bantam Majors last year.

All I'm saying is there are maybe 4-5 kids drafted each year who played some youth hockey in Chicago. There are 30 teams in the NHL and 1 of those teams is taking a Chicago kid every year. I agree with you, they're the best players on our board when we take them. But we are clearly scouting or valuing these guys more than the rest of the NHL. I am comfortable saying there is some bias for Chicago guys.

But in my opinion, the bias isn't just for Chicago boys! A former Hawk's scout coached Chicago youth hockey for years. That same scout invited Brandon Pirri from the Toronto Youngs Nats to play on a Bantam showcase team comprised of half Chicago boys. Come draft time, Pirri was ranked 75th in final 2009 Central Scouting Rankings for North Americans (not including Euros or goalies). Pirri ended up being drafted 59th overall. Despite a ton of success in juniors and NCAA, only 3 players from that Bantam showcase team were drafted: Brandon Pirri, Jeremy "Jet" Morin, and Paul Phillips. All three are now prospects of the Chicago Blackhawks. http://pittsburghhornets.blogspot.com/2006/05/hornet-goaltender-matt-skoff-and-team.html

Heck, former Hawk's defensemen Steve Poapst coached at Chicago Mission AAA, Chicago Steel (USHL), and now Rockford Ice Hogs. He knew about Ryan Hartman before Pat Kane was ever drafted by the Hawks.

 

[Marotte Marauder]

I don't think so:
2007 Bill Sweatt (2nd round)
2009 Paul Phillips (7th round)
2010 Mac Carruth (7th round)
2011 Alex Broadhust (7th round)
2012 Vincent Hinostroza (6th round)
2013 Ryan Hartman (1st round)
2013 Anthony Louis (6th round)

Can't back it up, but I doubt any other team has taken 7 kids who've played youth hockey in Chicago in the past 7 years.

And the one local we should have taken (Kings took him right after Hawks picked), may develop into the best of them all.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=123365

 

[AmericanDream]

And the one local we should have taken (Kings took him right after Hawks picked), may develop into the best of them all.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=123365

Mersch is a solid player, very underrated. He needs to get better on his skates, better mobility and speed, but the kid has a nose for scoring goals and you cant teach that. If Wisconsin wasnt so horrible offensively these past two seasons Mersch could have been a serious candidate for a Hobey Baker this year.

Great kid, loved watching him with the USNDP and Wisconsin. I think he makes it to the pros and could do it in a few different ways. Great pick by the Kings.

 

[Easton Modano Curve]

And the one local we should have taken (Kings took him right after Hawks picked), may develop into the best of them all.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=123365

Great call on Michael Mersch.

I wanted the Hawks to draft Mersch's Team Illinois teammate Ryan Dzingel. Almost point per game and team captain of tOSU as a Sophomore! He's definitely a steal in the 7th round for the Senators.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=123834

Will be rooting for these two guys even if they're aren't Hawks!