Takeaways from Day 1 2026 Blackhawks Development Camp – Hockey Writers – Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks held Day 1 of their development camp, which runs from June 29 to July 2. 19 prospects are there, and they are returning to ice activities after being off the ice for the past three years.

Assistant general manager for player development Mark Eaton talked about the excitement of the development camp week, “Yeah, a lot. This is our favorite week of the year as a development staff. The one chance we get to get all these guys in one place, all at the same time.

“So, until they come into the organization in Rockford or Chicago, if we help them a lot we can have these guys at any time. So that’s why we’re busy all week and try to fit in as much as we can, knowing that’s all we’ve got together. So just try to maximize the time and build camp from what we’ve learned about them in the last year, and the things we want to accomplish.”

Day 1 consisted of medication, physical examination, and early skiing. The 2026 draft class (minus Alexander Ivanov) was also available to the media. They bring personality.

Here are some stories.

First impression of Dev Camp

Let’s start with Eaton as he was the first to speak. He talked about his first impressions of the first day, “It was good, I mean, the first day – it’s always a difficult day. It’s a quick change from the welcome meeting last night and the morning with the doctor, but a good team. I think they know each other well (from) the previous camps, and they’re all smiling, joking, another long day of testing each other, and you know each other another long day, and you know each other. We did that for a few hours but they treated you like professionals, and they didn’t expect anything less.”

He also talked about putting more on the ice this year, “… More ice, pushing that back to the camp, and I think… as the numbers say that. The last four or five camps have been so big in numbers that when we go on the ice, we don’t want it like your practices running on a machine. With a small team, I think, like 18 players, we can split the goals of 18) teams. We have a skating coach here

2026 Draft Class Discussions

Robroeck Ready to Start Next Season

Ryan Roobroeck was the first prospect to speak. He talked about his first impressions of Chicago, what he wanted to develop, and more.

About Chicago, he said, “I don’t know much about Chicago, honestly, being from across the border, but my first impression is that it’s a sick city. I love it here. It’s great. So there’s never been one point where I’ve said, ‘Wow, this is not the place I want to be.’ This is definitely where I see myself.”

As for his season with the Niagara IceDogs of the OHL, he had 58 points in 49 games. He said of his season, “It was a good season. Like, we had a little hiccups and injuries and stuff like that. So I didn’t get a full season, but when I was on the ice, it was a lot of work and fine-tuning my game and everything.”

As for what Roobroeck wanted to build on, “Just be a complete player. This year there’s a big emphasis on defense first before attacking, but yeah, just playing a complete game for 200 meters, and besides that, keeping my feet moving is a big thing for me. Obviously, the game doesn’t slow down to the next level, so you can keep up with the pace.”

Robroeck will be with the Guelph Storm in the OHL next season.

Alalauri Talks College Hockey

Samu Alalauri was a third-round pick of the Blackhawks, and he seemed to have a fun personality, making the media laugh throughout his interview.

The 6-foot-2 defenseman had 25 points in 40 games with the Pelicans U20 team in Finland. He said of his game, “I’m a two-way defenseman. I’m also reliable. I want to play with the puck, but also (defend) so well that I don’t allow any easy goals, but I think that’s what I bring to the table. Great skating.”

He will attend the University of Massachusetts (UMass) next season and is looking forward to working on his defensive game there. He had an interesting story about his decision to go the college hockey route, too.

“I was like, at the beginning of the season, I didn’t even know what college hockey was. I got a call from my agent that there was interest in you coming to college. I said, ‘Okay, what is that?’ I heard well after they (said) you can mix hockey in the school there. It’s a good place for me. I’m doing well in school too, and Mass is a great place to be…”

He also talked about another person who may have his opinion, Václav Nestrashil, who also goes to UMass, and whether he knew him before this week, “It doesn’t make sense. We (chatted) a little bit. He was whispering to me a little bit before I came here. But no, we’re good friends, we know each other now. I’m in the same room, too, so we’ll see each other.”

Sörbrand Enjoys Time

As he was selected by the Blackhawks in the seventh round, William Sörbrand said in writing, “I was shocked, but, it’s very fun and I’m very happy…” He revealed that he had to drive four hours from his home to get to the airport in Stockholm to get to Chicago for the camp. But everything worked out.

The Swedish player played for Timrå IK U20, where he recorded 18 points in 28 games. He described himself as a striker who likes to hit and in the development camp he is enjoying this time. He said of what he was looking forward to about the development camp, “You know, just trying to make new friends, and trying to improve my game as much as I can, and just bring everything in.”

He also revealed that he is in contact with Anton Frondell, “Yes, he contacted me. He’s a happy guy… He’s a really nice guy.”

Villeneuve Ooozes Passion

Xavier Villeneuve was the Blackhawks’ first draft pick in the second round. He was with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL, with 38 points in 37 games.

Villeneuve seems very likable, and you can see her eagerness and excitement radiating from her. He will be playing at Boston University (BU) next season, and you guessed it, he’s excited. “Yes, I’m stressed, like wherever there’s a challenge, I want to take it. So, I’m very happy to get there.” He also noted that he spoke with Sacha Boisvert (who is also in development camp) about BU.

He also talked about his ability, “Yeah, I think what I can do with the puck in the offensive zone. The vision that I have, I think it’s a very rare thing. I hate being cocky, and you know, talking about how good I am. Like, that’s not me. But I think it’s a rare thing. And yeah, that makes who I am on the ice.”

And speaking of Duncan Keith, who once said he was his idol? It means little. When asked what he likes about Keith,

“Oh, I mean, everything. Like what he did on the ice. What was his average time on the ice when he was in the tournament? Like, maybe 30- over 30 minutes. Just like a horse on the ice. He could do everything. You know, he’s really the guy that made me like the defenseman position. So, no, it’s great, and hopefully what he’s going to do here a little bit.”

Hopes are ready to get to work and will take all the enthusiasm (and humor) with them for the rest of the week.