Blackhawks prospect breakdown: Jack Pridham takes advantage of new NCAA rule in OHL

New York Times

08-04-2025

Jack Pridham had decided on his hockey development path years ago.
Pridham attended St. Andrew's College, a prep school, as a 15-year-old in 2021 to set up a path to college hockey. Growing up in the Toronto area with a father working for the Toronto Maple Leafs, he had interest from the CHL. The Kitchener Rangers drafted him in the ninth round in the 2021 OHL draft in case they could persuade him to sign.
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Pridham didn't budge, though. He went through the college recruiting process and committed to Boston University in 2022. The plan was for Pridham to play in the BCHL for the 2023-24 season (his draft year) and the 2024-25 season, and then enroll at Boston University for 2025-26.
Pridhman was following that plan. After being drafted by the Blackhawks in the third round in the 2024 NHL Draft, Pridham returned to West Kelowna to play in the BCHL. But after his season started, something unexpected happened. In November, the NCAA voted to allow CHL players to play college hockey beginning in the 2025-26 season.
A new possible path had been created, and Pridham decided to take it.
'When that ruling came out, there was an opportunity to come back home and play in Kitchener,' said Pridham, 19. 'That was something I wanted to do. … It's definitely pretty cool and really fortunate to be playing with Kitchener right now.'
The decision couldn't have gone any better. Pridham and his game transitioned nicely to the OHL — he was one of the Blackhawks' most consistent prospects at any level this season. As a winger, he produced 27 goals and 27 assists in 48 regular-season games and recently helped Kitchener make the second round of the OHL playoffs with three goals and two assists in five first-round games.
Pridham is still expected to play at Boston University next season. He could be walking into an ideal situation, too. The Terriers, who will play in the Frozen Four semifinals on Thursday, will likely be looking to replace a lot of their top players next season.
'The new rules have given players options, and I don't think that's ever a bad thing, especially in development,' Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said. 'I'm a big believer that players should own their development and decide what's best for them. And so he got the opportunity with the new rule change to make a decision and develop himself in a different league, which has gone very, very well. He's in a great organization with great facilities, great coaching in Kitchener.
'We're really excited to see him. He seems to have taken a step. Whether it's being with more talent or whatever it may be, it seems like he's flourished in that environment.'
Where have you seen growth in your game this season?
I kind of focus on using my speed, shot and vision to make plays on ice, just using my frame and body.
Have you seen your shot improve?
Obviously, I'm consistently working on my shot, just finding different ways to shoot and change the angle. Huge credit as well to our coaching staff. We do a lot of skills sessions and extra work.
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Just from watching your clips, you seem to have a good understanding of how to use your size and reach. How's that coming along?
I think kind of using my speed and my size … that's something I've gotten better at … and continue to put size on too. Also, I think I'm not done growing yet either. I think I can still add one or maybe two inches. My mom's side is real tall. I have a 6-foot-5 uncle. My grandpa was 6-4. My mom is 5-9, which is tall, too. Hopefully can add a few more. I'm 6-2 right now, which is good. I think just growing into my frame has been good and something to look forward to as well.
Where have you focused on this season?
I think the biggest thing for me is to continue to get stronger, obviously, continue to do that. But I think that I like to use my speed a lot, and just to get up on pucks and disrupt the D-men.
What feedback have you been getting from the Blackhawks?
I've been talking to Andy Delmore (a retired NHL defenseman). He's been an unbelievable resource for me as a player. We do video calls and stuff. He's been saying, just keep using my speed to get on guys and continuing to play the way I am. He's been great.
How much do you lean on your dad for advice in the game?
He's obviously a great resource and being involved in the game. He's been around the game for a long time. Having (agent) Pat Morris as well has been awesome — just to be able to talk to him and stuff. Like I said, at the end of the day, I'm the one who has to go through my career, and he supports that and my mom too. It's great to have him for sure.
Did being around the Leafs have any influence on you growing up?
I was very fortunate the past two summers to work out at their facilities and stuff, and actually train and skate with them. That's been really cool to just kind of talk to them with different stuff and practice with them in the summer and go against them. That's been great. I was working at the Leafs' development camps when I was really young. Kind of being around it growing up has helped a lot, just being able to see what they do day to day and how they approach and carry themselves. I'm very fortunate to have those opportunities.
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Has anyone specifically helped you?
They're all very nice and talk to me a bunch. Bobby McMann has been a guy who I've created a good relationship with and Conor Timmins as well. Bobby has been great to me in the summers and stuff. He's a speedster as well and uses his body very efficiently and helps the Leafs win hockey games, someone I look up to as well. He's been great.
In this goal from a recent game, Pridham uses his speed, gets wide, and beats the goalie.
You can get a better idea of his shot on this goal.
Here is another example of his shot.
Kitchener coach Jussi Ahokas said of his shot, 'It's getting there. It's gotten better the whole time. Sometimes his scoring chances … he needs a little more deception, a little bit (more) accuracy. All in all, he has a good shot. He can rip it. He's pretty good shooting one-timers. He's been a good fit for us.'
You may have seen this highlight a few times after he scored this goal.
Here's an example of his speed.
'The speed is really good,' Ahokas said. 'The speed and how he can accelerate, that's his biggest strength for sure.'
On this play, Pridham gets to the net, almost scores, and then gets on the forecheck.
On this play, Pridham uses his speed on the penalty kill. He ends up with a breakaway late in his shift.
'Pridham's a high-end skater and impressive athlete whose speed and shot made an immediate impact in the OHL. He's one of the league's fastest skaters and routinely beats guys wide or to pucks when he plays against his peers. I first watched him at St. Andrew's College a few years ago and his burst in straight lines and rounding corners immediately caught my eye. The staff there loved him and he has continued to turn people into fans since for his hard-working speed game.' — Wheeler is an NHL prospects expert who writes for The Athletic
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'He was way better in Kitchener this season than I thought he would be. Legit NHL-level skater and shooter. Offensive sense is just OK and plays too much on the perimeter for me. Has a chance to make it, but at his size, I would like to see him add more to his game.' — Pronman is an NHL prospects expert who writes for The Athletic
Davidson: 'His pace and offensive instincts, I think, are really showing (this season), and I think that's something that we're really excited about. He's a really athletic kid, so I don't think you really know what the ceiling is on someone like that. You just kind of hope that they're in the best situation possible and then just let them develop and figure out what the ceiling is later. I think Jack's one of those players.'
Ahokas: 'He's good at PK. He's a good shooter on the power play. He needs a little more stop-and-starts and his turns inside and facing the play the whole time. Those are things that all the players have some things to do to get better. We can take a player from the NHL, and there's always something to improve. All in all, I think when he just plays the right way and doesn't cheat the game, he's really effective. With his speed, he can really, really kill guys. Every game he gets opportunities, he creates with that speed.'
Boston University coach Jay Pandolfo: 'I like his overall game. He obviously can shoot it. He has real good skill. He has speed, a lot of attributes we like in a player. He likes the puck possession game. We're excited to have him next year. We think he can really help us. We're losing quite a lot of guys who played big minutes for us, so there's going to be opportunity for us next year in our lineup.'
The Blackhawks have taken a lot of high-end skaters over the last three years and Pridham fits that mold. All three players the Blackhawks selected in the third round in 2024 — Pridham, A.J. Spellacy and John Mustard — have a ton of speed. Blackhawks director of amateur scouting Mike Doneghey raved about all three players' speed at the draft. The Blackhawks are hopeful that at least a few of them will become NHL players. We'll see over the coming years, but it feels like Pridham does have a chance.
The Blackhawks drafted Pridham, knowing he might have a longer path. They're fine being patient with him. He probably stays in Boston for two or three years before turning pro. That could change too if he adapts to college hockey like he did the OHL.