The Chicago Blackhawks entered the 2025 NHL Draft with a clear mandate: continue to assemble a roster capable of sustained championship contention by adding elite hockey sense, skating, competitiveness, and long-term upside throughout the organization.
By the conclusion of the draft, General Manager David Yee has assembled one of the deepest and most balanced draft classes in the BRHL. Anchored by two potential top-line centers and complemented by six intelligent defensemen, a polished professional goaltender, and two highly skilled wingers, this class emphasizes organizational depth without sacrificing star potential.
James Hagens – Center
Boston College (Hockey East)
Round 1 – 5th Overall
Few players in the 2025 draft class possess the offensive toolkit of James Hagens. An elite skater with exceptional vision and creativity, Hagens consistently dictates the pace of play through his ability to attack with speed while processing the game several steps ahead of his opponents. His passing ability is among the best in his draft class, and his relentless compete level allows him to remain effective in all three zones.
Although primarily recognized for his offensive production, Hagens’ defensive commitment has steadily improved, giving scouts confidence that he can evolve into a true franchise center capable of playing in every situation.
For Chicago, this selection represents the acquisition of a player with legitimate first-line potential and future leadership qualities.
Projection: Franchise First-Line Center
Current NHL Rights Holder: Boston Bruins
Jake O’Brien – Center
Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
Round 1 – 8th Overall
By selecting Jake O’Brien eighth overall, the Blackhawks leave the opening round with arguably the strongest collection of young centers in the draft.
O’Brien plays an exceptionally intelligent offensive game. Rather than relying on overwhelming speed or physicality, he manipulates defenders through patience, deception, and elite vision. His playmaking ability consistently creates quality scoring opportunities, while his mature decision-making allows him to excel in all game situations.
As his strength continues to develop, O’Brien projects as an excellent two-way center capable of producing offense against top competition.
The combination of Hagens and O’Brien provides Chicago with enviable organizational depth down the middle for years to come.
Projection: Top-Six NHL Center
Current NHL Rights Holder: Seattle Kraken
Kurban Limatov – Defense
Dynamo Moscow Jr. (MHL)
Round 2 – 52nd Overall
Limatov adds an entirely different dimension to Chicago’s defensive pipeline.
Possessing excellent size, mobility and defensive awareness, he excels at closing gaps, eliminating time and space, and playing a physically assertive style without sacrificing positioning. His skating allows him to defend modern NHL speed effectively, while his calm puck movement provides dependable transition play.
Although his offensive ceiling remains secondary to his defensive strengths, there is enough skill present to suggest continued growth with experience.
Players with Limatov’s physical profile and skating ability are increasingly difficult to acquire, making this an outstanding value selection.
Projection: Top-Four Shutdown Defenseman
Current NHL Rights Holder: Carolina Hurricanes
Michal Postava – Goaltender
HC Kometa Brno (Czech Extraliga)
Round 2 – 61st Overall
One of the most intriguing goaltenders available, Postava arrives after already proving himself against professional competition in Europe.
Technically refined and remarkably composed, he relies on positioning, anticipation and efficient movement rather than athletic desperation. His rebound control and calm demeanor allow his teammates to play confidently in front of him, while his consistency suggests an accelerated development path compared to many young goaltenders.
Adding a polished professional netminder significantly strengthens Chicago’s long-term organizational depth at the position.
Projection: NHL Starting Goaltender / High-End 1B
Current NHL Rights Holder: Detroit Red Wings
Charlie Trethewey – Defense
U.S. National Team Development Program
Round 3 – 83rd Overall
Trethewey embodies the modern two-way defenseman.
A strong skater with excellent hockey sense, he consistently breaks up plays through intelligent positioning before quickly transitioning the puck up ice. His competitiveness and willingness to engage physically complement an already mature defensive game.
While his offensive production may never headline highlight reels, his complete game projects extremely well to the professional level.
Chicago believes Trethewey possesses the versatility to become an important contributor in every situation.
Projection: Reliable Top-Four Two-Way Defenseman
Current NHL Rights Holder: Pittsburgh Penguins
Filip Ekberg – Right Wing
Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
Round 4 – 107th Overall
Ekberg could ultimately prove to be one of the steals of the draft.
A gifted offensive winger with soft hands, a dangerous release and excellent hockey IQ, he consistently creates scoring opportunities through intelligence and creativity rather than relying solely on raw skill.
His work ethic and willingness to compete in difficult areas of the ice suggest additional offensive growth as he matures physically.
Chicago views Ekberg as a player capable of significantly outperforming his draft position.
Projection: Middle-Six Scoring Winger
Current NHL Rights Holder: Carolina Hurricanes
Charles-Édouard D’Astous – Defense
Brynäs IF (SHL)
Round 4 – 118th Overall
D’Astous enters the organization with valuable experience competing against professionals in one of Europe’s premier leagues.
A poised puck-moving defenseman, he consistently makes intelligent decisions under pressure while using his skating and passing ability to drive transition. His offensive instincts and power-play experience provide additional value, while his mature game should allow for a smoother transition to North American professional hockey.
His experience makes him one of the more BRHL-ready players in Chicago’s draft class.
Projection: Bottom-Four NHL Defenseman with Offensive Upside
Current NHL Rights Holder: Tampa Bay Lightning
Jake Livanavage – Defense
University of North Dakota (NCAA)
Round 6 – 167th Overall
Livanavage represents outstanding value late in the draft.
His game is defined by intelligence, mobility and efficient puck management. Rarely forcing plays, he consistently makes the correct decision and quietly drives possession through clean exits and strong positioning.
Players with his hockey sense often outperform their draft positions, making him an excellent developmental addition to Chicago’s already deep defensive pipeline.
Projection: Reliable NHL Depth Defenseman
Current NHL Rights Holder: Pittsburgh Penguins
Jan Chovan – Right Wing
Tappara U20 (Finland)
Round 6 – 189th Overall
Chovan may possess as much offensive upside as any player selected this late in the draft.
A dangerous shooter with quality skating and confidence attacking defenders one-on-one, he has the raw offensive tools to develop into a productive NHL winger.
Consistency and continued physical development remain the keys to unlocking his considerable potential, but the upside makes this a worthwhile swing in the sixth round.
Projection: Middle-Six Offensive Winger
Current NHL Rights Holder: Los Angeles Kings
Tomáš Cibulka – Defense
HC Motor České Budějovice
Round 7 – 199th Overall
Cibulka rounds out another strong addition to Chicago’s defensive depth.
Already experienced against professional competition, he plays a composed, dependable style built around strong positioning, efficient puck movement and reliable defensive habits.
While unlikely to become an offensive specialist, his maturity and consistency provide an excellent foundation for continued development.
Projection: Bottom-Pair NHL Defenseman
Current NHL Rights Holder: Edmonton Oilers
Gustav Stjernberg – Defense
Arizona State University (NCAA)
Round 7 – 203rd Overall
Chicago concludes its draft by selecting another intelligent, competitive defenseman.
Stjernberg combines excellent skating with a physical edge and dependable defensive awareness. His NCAA development path offers ample opportunity to continue refining his game while adding strength and experience.
Late-round selections rarely arrive with such a well-rounded foundation, making this another excellent value pick.
Projection: Reliable Defensive NHL Defenseman
Current NHL Rights Holder: Colorado Avalanche
Organizational Outlook
The Chicago Blackhawks entered the draft seeking elite talent, organizational depth, and players whose long-term projections aligned with the club’s rebuilding timeline. They accomplished all three objectives.
The additions of James Hagens and Jake O’Brien immediately transform the organization’s future down the middle, giving Chicago two centers with legitimate top-line potential. On the back end, six defensemen with varying styles and developmental paths provide exceptional depth while ensuring internal competition for years to come. Michal Postava strengthens the goaltending pipeline with a polished professional prospect, while Filip Ekberg and Jan Chovan add much-needed offensive upside on the wing.
Perhaps most notable is the pedigree of the players selected. Every prospect was either drafted, signed, or coveted by organizations with strong reputations for amateur scouting and player development, including Boston, Seattle, Carolina, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, Edmonton, and Colorado. That common thread reinforces the quality of Chicago’s evaluations and underscores the organization’s commitment to identifying players with legitimate NHL futures.
Should development unfold as projected, this class has the potential to become one of the defining drafts of the Blackhawks’ rebuild. It is a class built not only on star power, but on intelligence, depth, and the type of sustainable organizational strength required to compete for championships over the long term.