The Blackhawks had only one pick in the fourth round (No. 99), and they used it to selected Alex Pharand, who played with the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL last season. With the Wolves, he recorded 39 points (18 G, 21 A) in 67 games last season and added an assist in 7 games for during 2023 U-18 World Junior Championship with Canada.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound forward is a hard-working, physical forechecker who is already very solid defensively while playing both center and wing in recent years. There is some concern over Pharand’s skating – it’s not bad, it just needs some work – and consistency, but he’s got plenty of other raw tools that are tantalizing: his size, shot, puck-handling ability, and physicality.
Alex Pharand is off to the #Blackhawks #2023NHLDraft https://t.co/WDOjxDFDFe pic.twitter.com/vkd5Yeepk0
— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) June 29, 2023
The #Blackhawks scoop up a versatile @Sudbury_Wolves forward at the top of the fourth round!
Alex Pharand joins the @NHLBlackhawks 99th overall.#NHLDraft Profile 🎥: https://t.co/IWkPKVRgvl pic.twitter.com/6qBsVT7HwI
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) June 29, 2023
Alex Pharand goes to the @NHLBlackhawks in the 4th round. Super hard-nosed, strong power forward, plays with loads of compete and passion. Really mature character that is evident on and off the ice
— Joely Stockl (@joely_stockl04) June 29, 2023
Alex Pharand, are you kidding?😳
A goal of the year candidate from the OHL!
(🎥: @Sudbury_Wolves)
— BarDown (@BarDown) January 8, 2023