Prospect Info: 2024 27th Overall - Marek Vanacker

[clydesdale line]

My favorite breakdown of Vanacker. His puck hounding is very Hossa like. Dude is a gamer and plays mean. Loved watching him (and Lardis of course). This is the type of guy that wins you cups.

 

[bwanajamba]

My favorite breakdown of Vanacker. His puck hounding is very Hossa like. Dude is a gamer and plays mean. Loved watching him (and Lardis of course). This is the type of guy that wins you cups.

I happened to get this suggested last night, great vid. Very easy to envision him on Bedard's wing if all goes well.

Shoutout to Grandma Vanacker in the comments too.

 

[Chelios]

My favorite breakdown of Vanacker. His puck hounding is very Hossa like. Dude is a gamer and plays mean. Loved watching him (and Lardis of course). This is the type of guy that wins you cups.

This video has gotten me very excited about him. Talk about a puck hound.

 

[Wally1112pac]

I'm about a half hour from Brantford. Looking forward to watching Vanacker and Lardis a lot next year in person.

 

[pvr]

My favorite breakdown of Vanacker. His puck hounding is very Hossa like. Dude is a gamer and plays mean. Loved watching him (and Lardis of course). This is the type of guy that wins you cups.

Exactly what I said previously in this thread. Very noticeable, and plays with a long stick too, just like Hossa.

 

[bwana63]

My favorite breakdown of Vanacker. His puck hounding is very Hossa like. Dude is a gamer and plays mean. Loved watching him (and Lardis of course). This is the type of guy that wins you cups.

dawg (and I mean that in a VVG way)

 

[migi]

I think he is going to be my new favourite player.

 

[HawksDub89]

I think he plays a lot like Hagel. Even his skating reminds me a ton of Hagel.

 

[crazyhawk]

If Vanacker can become Hossa 2.0 we are very blessed.
Even if he's more realistically a Hossa Light 2.0 we're still fortunate to have him.

 

[giza]

Impressive 2 way player----tenacity is off the charts....love the Hagel comp.

 

[ello]

On paper he’s the perfect winger for Bedard

 

[Dead Meat]

The Chicago Blackhawks today announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Marek Vanacker on a three-year, entry-level contract that runs through the 2026-27 season ($975,000 salary cap hit).

Vanacker, 18, posted regular-season career highs in games played (68), goals (36), assists (46) and points (82) with the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League during the 2023-24 campaign. His 36 goals and 82 points each led all Brantford skaters, while his 46 assists ranked second on the club. He also posted seven points (3G, 4A) in six OHL postseason games in 2023-24. His four assists and seven points each shared second among all team skaters.

 

[Drumman44]

Surprised he’s turning pro

 

[Mrfenn92]

Surprised he’s turning pro

Just a elc will still be playing/eligible for the Chl the next two years

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

Just a elc will still be playing/eligible for the Chl the next two years

And with a potential December return from shoulder surgery, I'd expect that he'll spend both of the those years in the CHL.

 

[Mrfenn92]

And with a potential December return from shoulder surgery, I'd expect that he'll spend both of the those years in the CHL.

If he’s looking really good his second year I can see him get some games from the start of season

 

[Paul Allen]

Surprised he’s turning pro

Probably so he can rehab with Blackhawks staff. Like Savoie did last year after breaking his femur.

 

[dj Mahoney]

Marek Vanacker - 2024 NHL Draft Prospect Profile - The Hockey Writers NHL Entry Draft Latest News, Analysis & More

With a breakout draft year season, Brantford Bulldogs center Marek Vanacker has seen his draft stock rise throughout the season.

thehockeywriters.com

 

[Hull2Roenick2Kane]

Just curious what you guys think, but I was following Liam Greentree before the draft a little and saw he was drafted at 26. If he fell to 27 do you think Kyle still drafts Vanacker?

 

[Mrfenn92]

Just curious what you guys think, but I was following Liam Greentree before the draft a little and saw he was drafted at 26. If he fell to 27 do you think Kyle still drafts Vanacker?

Think marek was the guy all along

 

[clydesdale line]

Just curious what you guys think, but I was following Liam Greentree before the draft a little and saw he was drafted at 26. If he fell to 27 do you think Kyle still drafts Vanacker?

100%. There was a video when the Kings picked Greentree, Davidson fist bumped Donaghey and told Meghan Hunter to run to hand the card off for the trade. They wanted Vanacker. And Greentree isn't a good skater. Probably on their DND list.

 

[Hull2Roenick2Kane]

100%. There was a video when the Kings picked Greentree, Davidson fist bumped Donaghey and told Meghan Hunter to run to hand the card off for the trade. They wanted Vanacker. And Greentree isn't a good skater. Probably on their DND list.

I must have snoozed on that pick. I knew Vanacker was rising on the mocks though. I saw him mocked at 29 so I dont think 27 was too bad where we got him. I was hearing about Greentree for weeks leading up to the draft. Funny how Spellacy and Greentree were touted with their skills but the team they were on was one of the worst.

 

[Hawkaholic]

I must have snoozed on that pick. I knew Vanacker was rising on the mocks though. I saw him mocked at 29 so I dont think 27 was too bad where we got him. I was hearing about Greentree for weeks leading up to the draft. Funny how Spellacy and Greentree were touted with their skills but the team they were on was one of the worst.

Having 2 really good players on your team isn't enough to be a good team in the OHL.

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

Having 2 really good players on your team isn't enough to be a good team in the OHL.

It should be noted that Spellacy also only really started to produce the 2nd half of the season. Makes sense considering how he hadn't focused on hockey previously - but it wasn't like Spellacy was a major contributor for Windsor until the last 1/3 of the season or so.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Isn't skating an issue with Greentree and thus why he was sliding?

I dont believe Hawks were ever looking at Greentree because of concerns on skating