Blackhawks prospects: Sacha Boisvert thriving as ‘fearless’ freshman at North Dakota

Blackhawks prospect forward Sacha Boisvert grew up training in his dad’s boxing gym in Quebec, and boxing heavily influences his abrasive style on the ice.

As a freshman at North Dakota this season, however, Boisvert searched in vain to find a boxing gym in Grand Forks. It turns out there isn’t one.

So the 18th overall pick from last summer has instead relied on an off-ice training program the Hawks created for him to continue gaining strength and weight — a crucial process for almost all prospects.

“He’s a long, lanky body…but now he has the time to put on added strength and weight to play at the NHL level,” North Dakota coach Brad Berry said. “From when he came in in the summer…he’s noticeably thicker.”

Said Boisvert: “A lot of good skaters in the NHL have strong cores, so that’s one thing I’ve been doing.”

Whatever Boisvert is doing is working. The young center entered Friday leading No. 14 North Dakota in scoring with nine goals and 18 points in 21 games as an 18-year-old freshman. He created the signature highlight of his season so far with a cathartic overtime winner at Arizona State last weekend.

“You always are interested to see how young players adapt and get up to speed on the college level from junior hockey, and Sacha has done an excellent job,” Berry said. “[He has] already embedded himself in our top six, and he’s earned it. It wasn’t given to him. He has worked extremely hard…and he’s getting exponentially better every day.”

The Hawks drafted Boisvert because of his well-rounded game, scoring instincts, height (6-2) and aggressiveness. He provides some of everything, and he hasn’t faltered in any of those areas this season. Berry calls him “fearless.”

“A huge part of being a hockey player is you have to be confident in yourself to make the plays that you want,” Boisvert said. “That hasn’t been too much of an issue for me.

“I’ve been able to get my one-timer off in good places in the offensive zone [and found] good areas to get pucks. That’s one thing…I keep working on. And then my vision has been translating pretty well. I’ve had a couple good passes, and I feel confident in the offensive zone, making plays and getting my shot off.”

He entered the season weighing about 181 pounds and got up to 190 during the Christmas break before dropping back to 185 now that games have resumed. He’ll eventually wind up in the 200-210 range.

Over time, extra core strength will help Boisvert get lower in his skating stride, which some scouts considered slightly too upright entering the draft. So will increased hip mobility.

And extra strength in all areas will also help Boisvert fare better in board battles and when protecting the puck with his body, two other areas of emphasis. The Hawks have talked to him about the importance of winning battles in particular.

Berry sees some similarities to Shane Pinto, the Senators forward who averaged a point per game at North Dakota from 2019 to 2021, in Boisvert. Injuries and gambling have disrupted Pinto’s NHL career, but sans those things, the Hawks would be satisfied if Boisvert pans out like Pinto.

They would be even happier, though, if Boisvert turns into the next Brock Boeser, the Canucks forward — and similarly sized North Dakota alum — whom Hawks amateur scouting director Mike Doneghey mentioned at the draft as a model.

“[Boisvert plays] at a high pace, but he’s competitive on puck battles, and having that assertiveness sets him up to have the puck,” Berry said. “He makes good reads…distributing the puck, and he’s got a high-end shot and release — that we’re seeing not only five-on-five but on the power play, as well. He’s becoming a threat every time he’s on the ice.”