3 Blackhawks Prospects Advance to 2023 Frozen Four

Frank Nazar, Drew Commesso and Ryan Greene are moving on to the semifinals.

Three Chicago Blackhawks prospects advanced with their respective teams this weekend to play in the Frozen Four.

Forward Frank Nazar of No. 3-seeded Michigan and goaltender Drew Commesso and forward Ryan Greene — both of Boston — will play in the semifinal round. Boston will draw No. 1 Minnesota at 4 PM CT Thursday, April 6 in the first semifinal at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Michigan will face No. 2 Quinnipiac at 7:30 PM.

Michigan defeated Penn State 2-1 in overtime and Colgate 11-1 to make the Frozen Four. Nazar, a 2022 first-round pick of the Blackhawks, had one shot and was 5 of 12 on faceoffs against Penn State. He had a goal and assist and was 2 of 7 on faceoffs in Michigan's 11-1 tournament-opening victory against Colgate. 

Boston defeated Western Michigan 5-1 and Cornell 2-1 to make the semifinals. Commesso (2020 second) has a .948 save percentage (37 of 39) in two games. Greene (2022 second) has one shot, three blocked shots, and a 36 face-off percentage in the tournament.

Eliminated

Goaltender Dominic Basse (St. Cloud State), defenseman Slava Demin (Merrimack), and forwards Aidan Thompson (Denver) and Jake Wise (Ohio State) were all eliminated from the tournament.

Basse (2019 sixth) did not play in St. Cloud State's 4-0 win against Minnesota State and 4-1 loss to Minnesota. The junior transfer from Colorado College posted a 2.30 goals against average and .911 save percentage with one assist in 19 games.

Demin (2018 fourth via Vegas) had one shot, blocked one shot, and was on the ice for three goals against in Merrimack's 5-0 loss to Quinnipiac. The graduate transfer from UMass had six assists and 37 blocked shots in 19 games. The Blackhawks are not likely to sign him.

Thompson (2022 third) had three shots and was 11 of 24 on faceoffs in No. 4 Denver's 2-0 loss to Cornell. The freshman scored 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) in 32 games.

Wise (2018 third) had four assists and 11 of 22 on faceoffs in Ohio State's 8-1 win against Harvard. He then had four shots and was 11 of 26 on faceoffs in a 4-1 loss to Quinnipiac. He had 39 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 40 games.