NHL Draft: The Chicago Blackhawks' Round-by-Round Draft History

The Chicago Blackhawks will soon be ushering in the latest hopefuls to the organization in the 2011 NHL Draft.

Selecting teens still in the process of developing their games is tricky business.  It is difficult to predict how a young prospect will handle the transition to professional hockey.  Which players have already peaked?  Who has the highest ceiling in terms of growth?

The Blackhawks have selected 443 players via the draft since it was instituted in 1963.  Of those players, 168 have appeared in an NHL game.  Just 95 of those players stuck it out for more than 100 games in the league.

One in every five 'Hawks' draftees, on average, has spent more than a cup of coffee in the NHL.  How many players have had any kind of long-term success?  Let's set the bar at 350 games, the rough equivalent of five NHL seasons (taking into account the 70-game schedule played in the mid-60's).

Just 56 players.  That's a little better than a one-in-ten success rate.

The 'Hawks have higher hopes for the ten players they will select this week.  Where will the next long-time NHL player come from?  Let's look at Chicago's draft history, round by round, to see where the team has had success in the past.

Round One

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4 Feb 1996: Center Denis Savard of the Chicago Blackhawks skates down the ice during a game against Anaheim Mighty Ducks at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. The Blackhawks won the game 4-1.. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Cratty /Allsport

All-Time Picks: 57

Reached The NHL: 42

Appeared In Over 100 NHL Games: 30

Best Pick In This Round: C Denis Savard (1980, pictured)

Other Notables: C Jeremy Roenick (1988), C Jonathan Toews (2006), D Doug Wilson (1977)

Most Recent Pick: F Kevin Hayes (2010)

Most Recent Pick To Appear With The Blackhawks: F Patrick Kane (2007)

Only 22 of the 'Hawks 57 top selections have spent five or more seasons in the NHL.

Back in February, I did a piece detailing the 'Hawks track record in the first round.  Here's the link if you're interested.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/549759-boom-or-bust-ranking-the-chicago-blackhawks-first-round-picks-over-the-years 

Round Two

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 11: Defenseman Duncan Keith #2 of the Chicago Blackhawks at American Airlines Center on February 11, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

All-Time Picks: 55

Reached The NHL: 31

Appeared In Over 100 NHL Games: 15

Best Pick In This Round: D Duncan Keith (2002, pictured)

Other Notables: C Jeff Shantz (1992), C Dave Bolland (2004)

Most Recent Pick: F Ludvig Rensfeldt, D Justin Holl, G Kent Simpson, D Stephen Johns (all 2010) 

Most Recent Pick To Appear With The Blackhawks: C Brandon Pirri (2009)

Recent second-round selections have fared better recently, as Keith and Bolland were joined on this year's club by Bryan Bickell (2004) and Corey Crawford (2003).  Pirri appeared in one game in Chicago back in October.

Only four picks from the second round lasted for more than 350 games.  Keith (now at 486) and Shantz (642) are joined by 1983 pick Wayne Pressley (684) and Alain Daigle (389) in 1974.

Round Three

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1990-1991: Center Troy Murray of the Chicago Blackhawks moves the puck during a game against the Los Angeles Kings at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /Allsport

All-Time Picks: 40

Reached The NHL: 18

Appeared In Over 100 NHL Games: 13

Best Pick In This Round: D Bob Murray (1974)

Other Notables: C Troy Murray (1980, pictured), D Marc Bergevin (1983), D Trent Yawney (1984)

Most Recent Pick: C Joakim Nordstrom (2010)

Most Recent Pick To Appear With The Blackhawks: C Evan Brophy (2005)

Brophy was a call-up for one game early this last season.  The next third rounder we see with the 'Hawks could be D Shawn Lalonde (2008).  Twenty-five percent of Chicago's third-round picks have lasted 350-plus games.

Round Four

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CHICAGO - FEBRUARY 14: Left wing Eric Daze #55 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates against the San Jose Sharks on February 14, 2003 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Sharks defeated the Blackhawks 4-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images/

All-Time Picks: 46

Reached The NHL: 20

Appeared In Over 100 NHL Games: 9

Best Pick In This Round: RW Eric Daze (1993, pictured)

Other Notables: C Terry Ruskowski (1974), D Igor Kravchuk (1991), D Niklas Hjalmarsson (2005)

Most Recent Pick: C Rob Flick (2010)

Most Recent Pick To Appear With The Blackhawks: Hjalmarsson

Daze is a name that escapes post-lockout fans, but he spent parts of 11 seasons with the 'Hawks before back issues ended his career at age 30.

Flick just signed his entry contract with the 'Hawks and should be in Rockford this season.

Only five fourth-round picks have over 350 games in the NHL.  Barring injury, Hjalmarsson should be the sixth.

Round Five

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 19: Marcus Kruger #16 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck against the Vancouver Canucks in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on April 19, 2011 in Chi

All-Time Picks: 42

Reached The NHL: 13

Appeared In Over 100 NHL Games: 7

Best Pick In This Round: G Giles Meloche (1970)

Other Notables: D James Wisniewski (2002), Jake Dowell (2004)

Most Recent Pick: C Marcus Kruger (2009, pictured)

Most Recent Pick To Appear With The Blackhawks: Kruger

Meloche had a pair of All-Star appearances in an 18-year career. Not bad for the 'Hawks last pick in 1970.  Only one other fifth-round pick has reached the 350-game plateau, that player being RW Kyle Calder (1997).  Wisniewski should join that exclusive club early next season.

Kruger has impressed the Blackhawks' front office.  He showed some potential in his stint at the end of this season and should compete for a roster spot in camp this fall.

Round Six

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22 Nov 1991: Rightwinger Steve Larmer of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on during a game against the Buffalo Sabres at Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport

All-Time Picks: 52

Reached The NHL: 13

Appeared In Over 100 NHL Games: 7

Best Pick In This Round: RW Steve Larmer (1980, pictured)

Other Notables: D Doug Crossman (1979)

Most Recent Picks: C Mirko Hoefflin and D Nick Mattson (2010)

Most Recent Pick To Appear With The Blackhawks: RW Ben Smith (2008)

Larmer is an all-time Blackhawk who is arguably one of the the greatest sixth-round picks in NHL history, but Crossman logged 14 NHL seasons with eight teams.  Not too shabby for a sixth-rounder.

Smith showed great hockey smarts in limited action this year.  If he can stick out five-plus years in the league, he'll be the first 'Hawks sixth-rounder since Larmer to accomplish the feat.

Round Seven

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 27: Troy Brouwer #22 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates past Shane Doan #19 of the Phoenix Coyotes at the United Center on February 27, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in a shootout. (Photo by Jonath

All-Time Picks: 42

Reached The NHL: 11

Appeared In Over 100 NHL Games: 6

Best Pick In This Round: C Mike Stapleton (1984)

Other Notables: LW Ted Bulley (1975), LW Troy Brouwer (2004, pictured)

Most Recent Pick: G Mac Carruth (2010)

Most Recent Pick To Appear With The Blackhawks: Brouwer

Stapleton spent 14 seasons in the league, including five with Chicago.  Brouwer has the potential to top this list someday, but even if he falls short of Stapleton's service time, he has performed well for a low-round pick.

Round Eight

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PHILADELPHIA - JUNE 09: Dustin Byfuglien #33 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates against the Philadelphia Flyers during Game Six of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Wachovia Center on June 9, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett

All-Time Picks: 31

Reached The NHL: 5

Appeared In Over 100 NHL Games: 1

Best Pick In This Round: D Dustin Byfuglien (2003, pictured)

Other Notables: Billy Reay, Jr. (1972)

Most Recent Picks: Eric Hunter and Matthew Ford (2004)

Most Recent Pick To Appear With The Blackhawks: Byfuglien

Reay never played in the NHL.  He was the first eighth-rounder the 'Hawks ever had, and was selected largely because his father was the head coach of Chicago at the time.

When it comes to the eighth round, it starts and ends with Big Buff, who enters his fifth full season in the NHL up in Winnipeg this fall.

Round Nine

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PHILADELPHIA - JUNE 09: Adam Burish #37 of the Chicago Blackhawks hoists the Stanley Cup after teammate Patrick Kane scored the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 and win the Stanley Cup in Game Six of the 2010 NHL Stanle

All-Time Picks: 34

Reached The NHL: 7

Appeared In Over 100 NHL Games: 2

Best Pick In This Round: RW Brian Noonan (1983)

Other Notables: RW Adam Burish (2002, pictured)

Most Recent Pick: Marco Anttila (2004)

Most Recent Pick To Appear With The Blackhawks: Burish

Noonan played parts of seven seasons for the 'Hawks and won a cup with the Rangers in 1993-94.  He also helped fetch Tony Amonte from New York as part of that trade.

Burish is the only other Chicago player drafted in this round to play substantial time in the NHL, and like Noonan, he has a cup.

Round Ten

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OTTAWA, CANADA - NOVEMBER 17: Dominic Hasek #39 of the Ottawa Senators tries to watch the action through a crowd during a second period power play in NHL action at the Corel Centre in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

All-Time Picks: 18

Reached The NHL: 4

Appeared In Over 100 NHL Games: 2

Best Pick In This Round: G Dominic Hasek (1983, pictured)

Other Notables: RW Dan Frawley (1980)

Most Recent Pick: Lars Weibel (1994)

Most Recent Pick To Appear With The Blackhawks: RW Alexander Andrievski (1991)

Hasek didn't appear in North America for eight years following his selection, but six Vezina Trophies and a pair of cups with Detroit suggest he was worth the 10th-round flier.  Too bad for the 'Hawks, he was worth more to the Sabers and Red Wings.

Andrievski skated in one game for Chicago in the 1993-94 season.  Frawley skated in 273 games for the 'Hawks and Penguins.

Rounds 11-13

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CALGARY - SEPTEMBER 12: Darryl Sutter of the Calgary Flames poses for a portrait at Don Hartman Arena on September 12,2005 in Calgary, Canada. (Photo by: Gerry Thomas/Getty Images)

All-Time Picks: 16 11th-round, 10 12th-round, one 13th-round

Reached The NHL: 3, 1, 0

Appeared In Over 100 NHL Games: 3, 0, 0

Best Pick In This Round: LW Darryl Sutter, 11th round (1978, pictured)

Other Notables: C Steve Dubinski (11th round, 1990)

Most Recent Picks: 11th-Rob Mara (1994), 12th-C Sean Williams (1986), 13th-Glen Ing (1974)

Most Recent Pick To Appear With The Blackhawks: Dubinski

Sutter spent parts of eight seasons in Chicago and also coached the club to a Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 1991-92.

Dubinski also defied the odds in spending parts of 10 seasons in the NHL.

Williams skated in two games for the 1991-92 Blackhawks. 

Don't Ignore Recent Success in the Later Rounds

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 13: Ben Smith #57of the Chicago Blackhawks skate towards the goal while being chased by Sami Salo #6 of the Vancouver Canucks during the second period in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanle

The Blackhawks have had mixed success in the draft, but have gotten some nice return on lower-round picks in more recent years.

Lower picks like Jake Dowell, Brouwer, Byfuglien, Burish, Kruger, and Smith (pictured) have contributed at the NHL level despite not being top-round picks.  Look for at least one of Chicago's later picks to climb the organizational ladder in the coming years.