The 2024 version of Second City Hockey’s Top 25 Under 25 rankings continues with our Top 10, which will contain a lengthier breakdown of each individual who made it into that group. The voters for this year’s installment consisted five of the SCH writers, who submitted individual ballots.
Frank Nazar
- Position: Center/Wing
- Birth date: Jan. 14, 2004 (20)
- Acquired via: First-round pick (No. 13) in 2022 NHL Draft
- 2023-24 team: Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)
- 2023-24 stats: 41 points (17 G, 14 A), 18 PIM in 41 NCAA games; 1 point (1 G), 16:09 ATOI in 3 NHL games
- Size: 5-foot-9, 175 pounds
- Contract: Two years, $950,000 AAV (entry-level contract
- Rankings: 4 (LBR, Zack, Eric), 5 (Dave), 6 (Shea)
- Last T25U25 ranking: No. 4, no movement
Going into the 2022 draft, many believed that Nazar had top-five skill but that his size — at 5-9 and only 175 pounds — might hold him back from reaching his top-end potential in the NHL. As a result, he was selected right outside the top-10 by the Blackhawks who loved his fast-paced, high-effort, cerebral playing style that would fit perfectly into the type of organization they were building. Because of all that, there were high expectations on Nazar as he entered his freshman year at Michigan two years ago and, unfortunately, he ended up missing almost the entire season while recovering from hip surgery. His stock dropped a bit as a result, but the hope that Nazar would recover and have a breakout season as a sophomore was still very much alive.
The good news is those expectations were definitely met in Nazar’s sophomore season: he finished with 41 points (17 G, 14 A) in 41 games, all while illustrating what a truly dynamic, play-driving forward he could be with and without the puck. He plays a fast-thinking, tenacious style of hockey with skilled hands and creativity that often creates show-stopping moments. His ability to control the pace of the game with vision, puck skills, and skating is impressive. Offensively, Nazar is one of the most gifted playmakers the Blackhawks have had in the organization, his scoring is more than solid, and his defensive numbers are solid as well, something he has spoken about working on so that he can try to emulate his NHL favorites: Brayden Point and Patrice Bergeron.
Nazar did need a little time to ramp up at Michigan — not surprising with how much time he missed the season before — but by the eighth game, he’d found the extra gear he showed pre-draft and seemingly got better each game. He went a point-per-game in his first 18 games, scoring eight goals and adding 10 assists in that span.
With the first half of his NCAA season going so well, Nazar was named to Team USA’s roster for the 2024 World Juniors, a tournament he missed out on the prior year due to injury, and he went on to play a major role in that team winning gold. He finished with eight points — all assists — in seven games in the tournament, and according to tracking data from Mitchell Brown at EP Rinkside, he was one of the best forwards in the entire tournament by game score.

At the World Juniors, Nazar excelled at producing chances for teammates, especially off the rush and in transition:
Once he returned from the World Juniors, Nazar was one of several USA players who started to tear it up in the NCAA: he put up his best points cluster for Michigan with 16 points (5 G, 11 A) in the first 10 games following his World Juniors return. He looked dialed in as a dual threat with both his unbelievable passing ability and his scoring touch, but also really hustled after free pucks and consistently created high-danger offensive opportunities.
Here’s an example of him forcing a turnover himself, and then later setting up a teammate with a behind-the-back pass:
Here Nazar pulls defenders towards him to open up space for his teammates, resulting in a goal:
On this play, he beats his opponent with speed and then circles behind the net before making a perfect centering pass into the slot for a primary assist:
Sometimes, the skills that Nazar put on tape were just ridiculous:
Now, Nazar isn’t as much of a scorer as a playmaker, but he’s still certainly capable of scoring. He’s especially adept at finding soft, open areas for shots.
Another example of his above average shot:
Nazar is well admired by most prospect evaluators, outside of one testy writer over at The Athletic. EP Rinkside has him listed as the second best prospect in the Blackhawks system, which they ranked second among NHL organizations:
“In the second half of the last season, however, Nazar met our expectations. He drove his line’s play, while showing his habitual intensity. He pulled off technical and highlight-reel calibre passing plays, attracted and beat defenders with fakes and explosive stickhandling and skating moves, and scored by attacking the net.
There’s not a more inside-driven player than Nazar. He charges right through defences over and over again. If he stays healthy, learns to better pick his spot to unleash his creativity, and puts in a consistent defensive effort, he could become a top-six playmaker and a fan favorite.”
— David St-Louis, EP Rinkside
With his performance throughout his sophomore season at Michigan, it was no surprise when Nazar signed in Chicago and he promptly pulled a Jonathan Toews by scoring his first NHL goal on his first NHL shot.
Nazar only played in three games with the Blackhawks, but he gave fans a taste of just how exciting a player he could be.
It wasn’t just the flashy plays, either. The clip below shows Nazar using smart stick work combined with a high effort along the boards to gain possession and create a scoring chance:
Obviously the biggest question for Nazar is whether or not he can force the Blackhawks to make room for him on the NHL roster if he proves he’s ready during the upcoming training camp. The Blackhawks picked up several veteran players this offseason to fill out their roster and be somewhat competitive — or even just competent — as compared to last season. However, the Blackhawks front office was very clear that they are willing to make room for prospects if and when they’re ready. They won’t force it, but instead believe that a prospect’s play will dictate graduation to the NHL.
Nazar certainly seems NHL ready, but it also likely wouldn’t hurt for him to spend some time in Rockford to start the season. Many of the Blackhawks brightest young players spent time with the IceHogs to their betterment, like the recently returning Teuvo Teräväinen, who spent almost 40 games in the AHL during his rookie season. This patient, over-maturation process seems to be the preferred method to prospects for GM Kyle Davidson, so it really seems like Nazar (and other prospects) will have to put an undeniable case forward to make the Chicago roster.
Although if any kid is capable, it feels like Nazar is.
2024 Blackhawks Top 25 Under 25 list (so far):
No. 5: Kevin Korchinski
No. 6: Philipp Kurashev
No. 7: Oliver Moore
No. 8: Lukas Reichel
No. 9: Roman Kantserov
No. 10: Sacha Boisvert
Nos. 11-15: Del Mastro, Kaiser, Vanacker, Commesso, Lardis
Nos. 16-20: Rinzel, Greene, Dach, Allan, Hayes
Nos. 21-25: Phillips, Gajan, Mustard, Ludwinski, Savoie
Honorable Mentions: Crevier, Slaggert, Spellacy, Stjernborg