2025 Blackhawks Top 25 Under 25: Dach, Nestrasil top group ranked 16-20

The 2025 version of Second City Hockey’s Top 25 Under 25 rankings moves into its next group of five prospects who were ranked on individual ballots submitted by SCH staffers .

No. 20 — Marek Vanacker

Position: Left Wing

Birth date: April 12, 2006 (19)

Acquired via: 1st-round pick (27th overall) in 2024 NHL Draft

2024-25 team : Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

2024-25 stats: 42 points (24 G, 18 A) in 45 regular season games; 11 points (6 G, 5 A) in 11 playoffs games

Size: 6-foot, 170 pounds

Contract: Three years, $975,000 AAV (entry-level contract)

Rankings: 18 (Dave), 19 (Eric, LBR), 21 (Zack)

Last T25U25 ranking: No. 20, no movement

Vanacker’s 2024–25 season was one of recovery, growth, and quiet progress. After undergoing shoulder surgery the previous year, he returned to the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs and played in 45 games, recording 42 points (24 G, 18 A) -- a 0.93 point-per-game rate. While that drop in offensive production is somewhat disappointing when compared to his 1.2 PPG the season before, Vanacker did make noticeable strides in other areas of his game: particularly his two-way play, positioning, and defensive awareness. He tracked back responsibly, applied consistent forechecking pressure, and understood his role in team structure.

It\'s also important to note that, as the season wore on, Vanacker began to assert himself as a more complete player and it was easy to see his confidence grow. Coaches praised his improved puck pursuit, board battles, and willingness to do the less flashy work, all traits that strengthened his value beyond the scoresheet. Although question marks linger due to his injury status, his steady development throughout the season helped re-establish him as a promising prospect. At least one hockey reporter is still high on Vanacker\'s future:

“I think he’s the best power forward in the CHL.”

My @TheAthletic feature on Blackhawks first-rounder Marek Vanacker, who “hasn’t even scraped the surface.” https://t.co/mERJlgg98f pic.twitter.com/mHVUnQX6xm

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) July 30, 2025

Overall this past season, Vanacker showed resilience and that he could adapt his game to be effective in multiple roles. For a player still just a year removed from draft day and coming off pf a significant injury, that growth bodes well for his trajectory as he moves closer to NHL contention. That\'s why Vanacker saw no movement in these rankings this time despite all of the other incoming prospects. He still projects as a middle-six NHL winger with upside as a reliable, two-way contributor. He may not necessarily ever light up the scoreboard, but he has the tools and mentality to be a trusted player in various situations.

Vanacker has stayed busy this summer, participating in the World Junior Summer Showcase earlier this month. His time there was noticed:

The 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase has concluded.

A look at Saturday's top performers, including Marek Vanacker, Petteri Rimpinen, Malcolm Spence and more: https://t.co/EbuNUjnd4I

— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) August 2, 2025

No. 19 — Ryan Greene

Position: Center

Birth date: October 21, 2003 (20)

Acquired via: Second-round pick (57th overall) in 2022 NHL Draft

2024-25 team : Boston University (NCAA)

2024-25 stats: 36 points (12 G, 24 A), 6 PIM in 40 games

Size: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds

Contract: Unsigned

Rankings: 17 (LBR, Eric), 20 (Zack), 21 (Dave)

Last T25U25 ranking: No. 19, no movement

As a junior at Boston University, Greene hit career highs with 13 goals and 25 assists in 40 games, helping lead BU to the National Championship game while playing a significant leadership role with the team as co-captain. While his offensive production didn\'t really improve -- he had just two more points (1 G, 1 A) as last season in the same amount of game -- his growth really extended beyond the scoresheet.

Congrats to our prospect, Captain Ryan Greene, and @TerrierHockey on their Beanpot Championship win!👏 pic.twitter.com/3PeJq3SKVx

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 11, 2025

Greene showed strong improvement in his already robust two-way play, displaying a calm presence under pressure and sharper instincts away from the puck. His play along the boards was more assertive, he drove to high-danger areas with purpose, and he brought a new level of consistency to his defensive responsibilities. Perhaps what stood out most this season is how seamlessly he’s embraced a true team-first identity: supporting plays, staying responsible in his own zone, and providing the kind of shift-to-shift reliability coaches can trust.

Typically players who don\'t go over a point-per-game rate late in their colligate careers do not go on to dazzle offensively in the NHL, but when the moment calls for stability and smart hockey, Greene typically delivers and that will be his path to the NHL. It\'s also why his rank stayed consistent since our last vote.

ANOTHER GAME, ANOTHER CLUTCH GOAL BY RYAN GREENE! pic.twitter.com/nrGncRAlgP

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) January 19, 2025

No. 18 — Drew Commesso

Position: Goalie

Birth date: July 19, 2002 (23)

Acquired via: Second-round pick (46th overall) in 2020 NHL Draft

2024-25 team : Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

2024-25 stats: .911 save percentage, 2.54 goals-against average in 39 regular season; .926 save percentage, 2.35 goals-against average in 7 playoff games

Size: 6-foot-2, 181 pounds

Contract: One year, $825,000 AAV (entry-level contract)

Rankings: 15 (Zach), 18 (Eric), 20 (Dave, LBR)

Last T25U25 ranking: No. 24, up six spots

For Commesso, each season seems to follow a familiar pattern: a slow start followed by a strong finish -- and this season was the same. Before his injury at the end of November, Commesso struggled through a disappointing stretch, posting a .885 save percentage that raised doubts about his development. However, the injury proved to be a blessing in disguise, giving him a chance to reset and come back stronger. His December performance was so impressive that he earned Rockford’s Player of the Month honors, despite playing in only about half of the games.

The rest of the season was fairly strong for the young netminder, and he finished with a .911 save percentage in 39 regular-season games, a clear improvement to the .906 percentage the season before. His best stretch of hockey from last season started in February after returning from another brief injury, when he posted a .954 save percentage over nine games, showing poise and delivering clutch saves. He also carried that good play into the playoffs, where he posted an impressive .926 save percentage, though his play did drop against the Milwaukee Admirals (his final three games were all sub .900 save percentages).

Still hard to fathom the generational run Drew Commesso has been on ever since his brief injury in February pic.twitter.com/ACHzDFDLIq

— Hockey Seanie (@HockeySeanie) April 27, 2025

“RIDICULOUS from Drew Commesso” - @DanaGrey0 🤯 #GoHogs pic.twitter.com/toX1J1Un0O

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) March 9, 2025

With a solid overall season and strong finish, Commesso was rewarded with a decent boost in these rankings, but he honestly may deserve to be a bit higher. However, the question on why he continues to struggle out of the gate -- a trend that dates back to his NCAA days -- is still hanging over his head a bit. For Commesso to take the next step and secure an NHL role in the coming years, he’ll need to string together a more consistent season from start to finish. Thankfully for Chicago, the recent addition of Spencer Knight and the rebound season for Arvid Soderblom gives the organization the luxury of patience with Commesso as he works through these growing pains.

Massive save from Drew Commesso (#33) to keep this game tied! #Blackhawks #IceHogs #HawksProspects pic.twitter.com/gXCIgziolh

— Chicago Prospects (@Chi_Prospects) April 24, 2025

No. 17 — Vaclav Nestrasil

Position: Right Wing

Birth date: April 06, 2007 (18)

Acquired via: First-round pick (25th overall) in 2025 NHL Draft

2024-25 team : Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

2024-25 stats: 42 points (19 G, 23 A) in 61 regular season games, 13 points (7 G, 6 A) in 14 playoff games

Size: 6-foot-6, 190 pounds

Contract: Unsigned

Rankings: 13 (Zach), 18 (LBR), 19 (Dave), 20 (Eric)

Last T25U25 ranking: N/A

Nestrasil put together a strong 2024–25 season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL, finishing with 42 points (19 G, 23 A) in 61 games and adding 13 points in 14 playoff games during Muskegon’s run to its first Clark Cup championship. His performance, especially in the postseason, helped elevate his draft stock and led to him being selected 25th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Nestrasil is an intriguing prospect with a blend of towering frame and skill. He’s a decent skater for his frame who relies on power for good top-line speed, though some refinement is needed. Offensively, he’s a creative and poised playmaker who sees the ice well and can execute high-level passes. He protects the puck effectively and brings strong puck-possession skills in tight areas. Defensively, he’s smart and disruptive, reading plays well and contributing on the penalty kill. He\'s still a longer-term project, and has some areas of improvement needed. For example, Nestrasil still needs add some weight (he\'s just 190 pounds, which is light for his 6-5 frame) and strength to improve his effectiveness in puck battles and around the net. And his shot lacks quickness and deception, limiting his goal-scoring upside. He can sometimes force plays under pressure, leading to turnovers. The foundation is there -- he just has to put in the work to develop his skill well.

https://www.secondcityhockey.com/chicago-blackhawks-2025-nhl-draft-first-round-pick-vaclav-nestrasil-scouting-reports-projections

Looking ahead, Nestrašil is committed to UMass for the 2025–26 season, where he’ll have the chance to round out his game against NCAA competition. With continued development, he projects as a middle-six power forward with both power-play and penalty-kill upside.

When Václav Nestrašil was drafted in the 1st round by the Blackhawks this year, it came 16 years after his brother Andrej was drafted in the 3rd round.

Of course, Václav had to rub it in he was drafted earlier.

"Because that’s how our family works." ⤵️ https://t.co/Cr2OEToRUc

— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) August 16, 2025

No. 16 — Colton Dach

Position: Left Wing

Birth date: January 04, 2003 (22)

Acquired via: Second-round pick (62nd overall) in 2021 NHL Draft

2024-25 team : Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) | Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

2024-25 NHL stats: 7 points (2 G, 5 A) in 25 regular season games

2024-25 AHL stats: 26 points (12 G, 14 A) in 33 regular season games; 1 goal in 5 playoff games

Size: 6-foot-1, 196 pounds

Contract: Two years, $825,000 AAV (entry-level contract)

Rankings: 15 (Dave, LBR), 16 (Zach), 17 (Eric)

Last T25U25 ranking: No. 14, down three spots

Dach split his 2024–25 season between the AHL and NHL, showing steady development and a strong physical presence at both levels. With the IceHogs, Dach playedin 33 regular-season games as a top-six forward and tallied 26 points (12 G, 14 A), placing him among the team’s top scorers. While he won\'t be chasing a scoring title anytime soon, Dach steadily became a reliable, impact player and thrived as a complementary scorer in Rockford. He used his size to create space, drive the net, and open passing lanes, and his physical edge and growing two-way game continue to make him a valuable presence. This performance in Rockford earned him multiple NHL call-ups as the season progressed.

Dach made his NHL debut in early January, making an immediate impact by leading the team with five shots on goal and five hits. While his offensive numbers were modest -- just seven points (2 G, 5 A) in 25 games with the Blackhawks -- he brought consistent energy and grit to the lineup. He recorded 86 hits, 13 takeaways, and 12 blocked shots, playing a responsible and physical game that the team valued on its lower lines. The Blackhawks coaching staff also kept his minutes fairly steady -- right around 12 minutes per game -- which speaks to the level of confidence they had in him to play consistently. Unfortunately, his NHL stint was cut short by a hyperextended elbow, which sidelined him for the final 13 games of the season.

"He's very physical, and he's got a lot of skills, especially around the net, in the corners and tight areas. It's hard to find guys with all the skill sets he has."

--Connor Bedard on Colton Dach after Dach's NHL debut pic.twitter.com/PdB0z7nkRs

— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) January 4, 2025

COLTON DACH NOW HAS HIS FIRST NHL GOAL🚨 pic.twitter.com/9bUJrrv7oT

— Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) January 25, 2025

Overall, the 2024–25 campaign was a meaningful step forward in Dach’s development: he continued to shine in the AHL and then showed he can be an effective depth forward at the NHL level, especially in a checking or energy role. His offensive upside remains more visible at the AHL level, but his size, physicality, and competitiveness give him a foundation to build on. The main reason for Dach slipping slightly on this board was due to new players entering the ranking system and there is still a lingering question on whether or not he can stay healthy enough to reach his projected NHL floor.

2024 Blackhawks Top 25 Under 25 list (so far): Nos. 21-25: Allan, Slaggert, Behm, Spellacy, Mustard Honorable Mentions: Pridham, Savoie, West

No. 20 — Marek Vanacker

Talking Points