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It’s time for our annual ranking of the Chicago Blackhawks’ best players under age 25, but before that begins let’s look at the players that missed the cut.
Thirty-two players received votes in the rankings and the seven players that didn’t make the Top 25 list are forwards Mathias From, Matt Iacopelli, Luke Johnson and Nathan Noel and defenseman Roope Laavainen, Luc Snuggerud and Joni Tuulola.
Tuulola, Iacopelli and Johnson each received two votes, while the others only had one.
Tuulola
Position: Defenseman
Birth date: Jan. 1, 1996
Acquired via: Sixth-round pick (No. 181 overall) in 2015
Most recent stop: Rockford IceHogs — AHL
Size: 6’3, 181 pounds
Contract: Two years, $767.5K cap hit
Tuulola didn’t put the numbers Laavainen did in juniors, but he flourished in Liiga this past season, scoring 30 points (seven goals, 23 assists) in 58 games with Sport. For his efforts, he signed an entry-level contract with Chicago and played two games with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL. The left-handed shot should be a factor on Rockford’s blue line next season.
Iacopelli
Position: Winger
Birth date: May 15, 1994
Acquired via: Third-round pick (No. 83 overall) in 2014
Most recent stop: Rockford IceHogs — AHL
Size: 6’2, 207 pounds
Contract: 1-year, $742.5K
Iacopelli played in the AHL and ECHL last season, but made the most of his time in each league. He scored nine goals in 10 ECHL contests with the Indy Fuel and added 11 goals and 19 points in 50 AHL games. Iacopelli could serve as a fringe player that could be called up to the main roster in a pinch. He’s set to become a restricted free agent after next season.
Johnson
Position: Center
Birth date: Sept. 19, 1994
Acquired via: Fifth-round pick (No. 134 overall) in 2013
Most recent stop: Rockford IceHogs — AHL
Size: 5’11, 198 pounds
Contract: 1-year, $717.5K
Prior to this year’s Calder Cup playoffs, Johnson probably wouldn’t have received a vote. But he tallied four goals and eight points in 13 playoff games and played a key role for Rockford. He also had 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 73 regular-season games. Johnson is in the top-tier group that could see their first NHL action next season with a call up.
From
Position: Winger
Birth date: Dec. 16, 1997
Acquired via: Fifth-round pick (No. 143 overall) in 2016
Most recent stop: AIK — Allsvenskan in Sweden
Size: 6’1, 187 pounds
Contract: Unsigned
From hasn’t quite progressed since last season. After scoring three goals and four points in 33 SHL games with Rögle BK in 2016-17, he tallied five points in 21 SHL games for them this past season. He also saw more time in Sweden’s second division Allsvenskan. Stability with his new team AIK should help him out next season.
Laavainen
Position: Defenseman
Birth date: Aug. 23, 1998
Acquired via: Fourth-round pick (No. 119 overall) in 2017
Most recent stop: HPK — Liiga
Size: 6’2, 201 pounds
Contract: Unsigned
Laavainen made the jump from juniors to Liiga in Finland this past season. He posted 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) with Jokerit’s junior team in 2016-17 then recorded four assists in 39 games for HPK. He’ll turn 20 later this month and the Hawks remain patient as he develops in Finland’s top league.
Noel
Position: Center
Birth date: June 21, 1997
Acquired via: Fourth-round pick (No. 113 overall) in 2016
Most recent stop: Rockford IceHogs — AHL
Size: 5’11, 174 pounds
Contract: 2 years, $775,833 cap hit
Noel struggled to produce last season with Indy and Rockford. He scored 11 points with the Fuel and managed only one goal with Rockford. His lone AHL goal was the game-winner in his debut against Cleveland. Noel’s speed and his ability to create opportunities in space for teammates should help him earn playing time with Rockford this fall.
Snuggerud
Position: Defenseman
Birth date: Sept. 18, 1995
Acquired via: Fifth-round pick (No. 141 overall) in 2014
Most recent stop: Rockford IceHogs — AHL
Size: 6’0, 183 pounds
Contract: Two years, $767.5K cap hit
Last spring, Snuggerud left the University of Nebraska-Omaha after his junior season and signed with Chicago. He played in 13 games with Rockford and looked to be a reliable contributor on the blue line heading into the 2017-18 season. While he did produce with 17 points (five goals, 12 assists), it wasn’t to the level the team had hoped for. He’ll be back in Rockford next season.