- Boisvert played seven games for Chicago last season and scored his first NHL goal in Seattle
- The 2024 first-round pick bulked up to 205 pounds and switched to No. 90 for 2026-27
- Read below for what Boisvert and the Blackhawks said about his push for a roster spot
Sacha Boisvert already knows what the NHL feels like. Now he wants to stay.
The 20-year-old forward played seven games for the Blackhawks late last season after wrapping up his year at Boston University, and he is treating that cameo as a running start. Boisvert talked about the experience at Chicago’s development camp, which ended July 2.
“It definitely helps me with confidence and everything but also seeing the pros, the lifestyle they live,” Boisvert said. “Just getting to see that day in, day out, being up here is awesome. It changed my mentality on everything.”
Boisvert made his debut on March 26 and scored his first NHL goal in a 4-2 win at Seattle on April 4. He added an assist against St. Louis a week later and finished with two points in seven games.
Watch Boisvert bury his first NHL goal against the Kraken:
The No. 18 pick in the 2024 draft is the next name in Chicago’s young group, one led by Connor Bedard and filled out by Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell, Alex Vlasic and Artyom Levshunov.
Assistant general manager of player development Mark Eaton said the seven-game look changed the conversation.
“A lot of times guys did not get the experience of a handful of games at the end. You kind of have to try to convince them, ‘This is what to expect,'” Eaton said. “Sacha experienced it and now he knows exactly what to expect.”
Boisvert spent the offseason getting bigger. He is up to around 205 pounds after being listed at 185 at BU. He also has a new number for next season, switching to No. 90 after giving up 12 to newcomer Jordan Greenway.
Last season was not clean. Boisvert hurt his shoulder in the second game of the year and tried to play through it for about two months. He still put up 17 points in 26 games at BU.
BU coach Jay Pandolfo said a healthy Boisvert is ready for the pro game.
“He can play a lot of different styles, which is important,” Pandolfo said. “He can play physically, he has enough skill to make plays, great shot, really good release. And as a center, he is capable of playing good, solid defense and he can create offense.”
Take a look at the Blackhawks prospects on the ice at development camp:
A spot will not come easy. Fellow forwards AJ Spellacy and Marek Vanacker are also ready for the pro ranks, so Boisvert will have to earn his way into the lineup at training camp.
