Bosvert was drafted by Chicago in the First Round, 14th Overall in the 2024 NHL Draft
By Anthony Pellegrino @Apelle50 IceInsider.com Founder/Owner
BOSTON--As the Blackhawk's future roster begins to take shape, any draftee who hears their name called by the original six franchise at the draft knows quite clearly the team's future direction. A viable chance someday, to compete for the Stanley Cup.
Boisvert, 18, became the newest Blackhawks first-round pick last June. The Quebec native, committed to the University of North Dakota described the feeling of being drafted as the "best feeling I've ever had." Spending the past two seasons with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL, he'll make the jump to the NCAA this season—perhaps, a jump to the NHL to follow.
He will sit comfortably on UND's first line. An adjustment from juniors to the NCAA has been a common transition for Blackhawk's top prospects. Most notably, Landon Slaggert. Who made the jump at the tail end of last season from Notre Dame to the NHL. In his debut, scoring his first NHL goal.
Boisvert posted 36 goals, and 32 assists, for 68 points, in 61 regular season games with the Lumberjacks of the USHL last season. The season before, he had 45 points in 57 games with the club. A steady growth in between years, from 45 points to 68.
Back to June, at the Sphere in Las Vegas. What was it like to hear the Blackhawks call your name, maybe a sense of relief knowing you're locked into a team geared so much towards the future?
"Yeah, it's a great feeling. Getting to hug my family, (obviously) walking up to the stage. It's really a dream come true. A great organization, original six like the Blackhawks, it's truly a dream come true. I'm just pumped to be a Blackhawk."
When did you start to realize it was very much a possibility of being drafted by the Blackhawks, and how much interest did Chicago show leading up to the draft?
"I just had some great meetings with them throughout the season. Some scouts, they were giving me a lot of tips and what I'm doing good and all of that. Then just (like I said) some great conversations, I felt like the day the draft happened, I had a good chance of going there (to Chicago) and they made it happen. So I'm really happy for that."
Given the fact you're a Quebec native, was it a hard decision opting for the USHL instead of the QMJHL for junior hockey? Why was that decision made?
"To me it's always been a dream to play college hockey. Once I got to Mount St Charles in the US, I kind of found out about North Dakota and all of that. Since the day I found out, what the program was it was always a dream for me to go there. I'm here right now, it's great. Everything I expected and even better. I'm just enjoying my time here and super excited to get the games started."
Talk about your initial reactions to the Chicago Blackhawks organization the past few months, since the draft.
"It's great. They are really in touch with me; and all the other guys. Development camp was great, I got to meet all the prospects saw all the guys who went through the same thing as me and making new connections. It's been great really a professional organization (they've) given us a lot of tools for the future and just really excited for what's to come."
How frequently have you been in contact with the Blackhawks development staff, and how much do they have you working on heading into the season with North Dakota?
"They've been staying in touch, with the mental side of things as well as the physical side. The development guy came down about two/three weeks ago chekced it out, what workouts are like. All the schedule, and then help me maybe program just for whatever I need to do. Whatever they think I should work on, what I think I should work on. Putting ourselves in the same page. Also I have my physical, my strength coach who is here which is nice."
Now your in NCAA hockey. What's your goal for the season? Could it be making the WJ team, signing a contract with Chicago by March like Landon Slaggert did?
"I'm just looking forward to be a dominant player at this level. In practice every day trying to be the best player I can on the ice. I feel like the goal is nothing less than winning the championship with North Dakota."
What's something, say one thing Chicago fans should be excited to have you as part of the organization for.
"I would say a lot of skills and a lot of grit. I think I can bring both to the table and I'm just really excited to show you guys what I can do out there. Hopefully as soon as possible."
When you look at yourself following this season with UND, what do you see. Any future goals?
"For me, I'm big on taking it step by step. I just want to start by playing my first college game. Adapting to it. To be the best player in the conference. The best player out there every day. That's really my main goal. Just really take it day by day, step by step. Not really in a rush, in a hurry, I'm not too stressed about it just be the best player out there."
With the amount of talent and expectation in the prospect pool, what do you think you have to do to separate yourself from all the other prospects? Perhaps, to play on that line with Bedard (Connor)?
"I think I just have to keep doing what I'm doing. I'm a hard worker, really professional. Everything I do has a purpose. Just really stay on that good track, keep adding on weight to my body. Keep getting stronger, getting bigger. Really doing the little details that will help me get to the next level."
Fan Questions:
"I would love to know why he chose UND, and who he is excited to play with there."
"I chose UND because I think the Ralph Engelstad is a really special place. The best facilities on earth, are here. The biggest building in the league. 12,000 people every night. Great atmosphere. The coaching staff is exceptional. They've helped me a lot so far. I'm really excited. I think everyone just playing games, a new team. New jersey, new colors and I'm just really excited to play with everyone."
"Does he value his offensive play the most, or does he appreciate and take pride in his 200-foot play?"
"Obviously I want to be a complete player whether it's from the defensive side, with and without the puck. (I) Just want to be a really complete player able to do everything out there, trust me in every situation. But obviously I'm a forward and I've always liked to score goals. I take a lot of pride in that and it's always fun to see the puck go in the back of the net. So I'd say the offense, a little bit of an edge on the offensive end."
"How does he envision himself meshing with Bedard in the future, has he spoken to him at all? If so, what was the conversation like. Lastly, does the pressure change now that he's in a NHL organization?
"I think right after I got drafted, (Connor) sent me a text after. That was really nice of him, really appreciated that. But nothing more than that. I'm still at the college level, not at the NHL level yet, so really take it step by step. I'll talk to you about that more once I'm there. I don't think the pressure really changes every night NHL scouts were watching me last year. Now I'm just really excited to be a part of a great organization, having them helping me. It's kind of a relief a little bit, not that stress of guys watching me every night. Now I just got to work on my craft and focus on getting better every day."
Stay tuned for Episode 2 feat. Utah Hc Goaltender Jaxson Stauber on Friday, September 20th
Episode 3 feat. Chicago Blackhawks Defenseman Seth Jones will release on Sunday, September 22nd.
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