Blackhawks Select Center AJ Spellacy with the 72nd Pick in the 2024 NHL Draft

The Chicago Blackhawks continue to add grit and depth on the second day of the NHL Draft. After selecting the gritty forward John Mustard with their 67th overall selection , the Blackhawks added another gritty player. With the 72nd pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks selected center Anthony (AJ) Spellacy from the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL.

Spellacy is a United States native, hailing from Westlake, OH. Although he ultimately chose hockey and played two seasons for the Spitfires, Spellacy had five D1 college football scholarship offers coming out of high school. However, the big center stuck with hockey over football.

Spellacy didn't put up overwhelming offensive numbers in the OHL. This past season, the Ohio native tallied 38 points (21 goals, 17 assists) in 67 games. However, Spellacy is a big center (6-foot-3, 201 pounds) and has a high motor. His skating and ability to quickly get up to top speed makes him an appealing pick. Some have labeled Spellacy as one of the biggest " high-upside bets " left in the draft.

The speed fits the profile of the Blackhawks' identity. Ideally, he profiles as a bottom-six forward with middle-six potential. In the third round, that is terrific value. His hockey sense is a little underwhelming, as seen above, but his motor and ability to fly make him perfect for an energy role in the bottom-six.

Here's what Elite Prospects said about Spellacy:

It only takes a couple of strides or a crossover burst for Spellacy to separate from defenders. Many of his rushes are dynamic, pressing the dot lane to get defenders moving in the wrong direction before he finds another gear to drive the net. The effort matches the speed. Spellacy easily catches opponents, even from massive disadvantages, to steal pucks off their sticks. He’s a proactive down-low defender, bolstered by his constant desire to make contact.

- EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide

What's On Tap Next?

The Blackhawks only have two picks (138, 163) left in the 2024 NHL Draft. Following the draft, things cool off for about 36 hours before NHL free agency opens on Monday. Although the Hawks won't be hyper-aggressive, they should be fairly active in the market.

Subscribe to On Tap Sports Net on YouTube and the Four Feathers Podcast for more Chicago Blackhawks content, updates, and hot takes!