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  "path": "/blackhawks/2026/06/27/blackhawks-draft-picks-2026-analysis-xavier-villeneuve-ryan-roobroeck",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-27T16:20:04.840Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>After sitting quiet throughout the first round of the NHL draft <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2026/06/26/blackhawks-bowen-byram-chase-reid-nhl-draft-kraken-sharks?_gl=1*1avo40o*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTkxOTY1Njc5MS4xNzgyNTc2OTUy*_ga_K0F0MB46T8*czE3ODI1NzY5NTEkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODI1NzY5NTEkajYwJGwwJGgw\" target=\"_blank\" >Friday</a>, the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks?_gl=1*1qc2vl*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTkxOTY1Njc5MS4xNzgyNTc2OTUy*_ga_K0F0MB46T8*czE3ODI1NzY5NTEkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODI1NzY5NTMkajU4JGwwJGgw\" target=\"_blank\" >Blackhawks</a> took two big swings Saturday morning as the draft resumed.</p><p>Here's a breakdown of every Hawks pick from Day 2 of the draft:</p><p><b>No. 34: Xavier Villeneuve, defenseman, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)</b></p><p>It seemed likely the Hawks would target a defenseman early in the second round, and they did just that with Villeneuve, one of the consensus top prospects still available after the first round.</p><p>The Quebec native is unquestionably a first-round talent, but his diminutive size — 5-11 and 164 pounds — evidently scared off teams in that range. The Hawks were willing to gamble on his upside.</p><p>\"The skill set I have is pretty rare, without being too cocky,\" Villeneuve said.</p><p>He has been optimistically compared to young Canadiens star Lane Hutson, another left-handed shot, throughout the draft process, and Villeneuve believes in that comparison. He's headed to Boston University next season — after averaging more than a point per game the last two seasons in the QMJHL — hoping they can develop him just like they developed Hutson.</p><p>He's quick and elusive on skates, and combined with his high-level hockey sense and vision, he's difficult to contain. He did miss several months with a hip injury this year. He thinks he's not done growing, which would be welcome news if true.</p><p><b>No. 35: Ryan Roobroeck, left wing, Niagara (OHL)</b></p><p>The Hawks traded up from No. 37 to No. 35, giving the Devils their fourth-round pick to do so, and subsequently selected the controversial and mercurial Roobroeck.</p><p>Last summer, Roobroeck was considered a possible top-10 pick in this class, but he disappointed with Niagara this season and fell down rankings. He will play for Guelph in the OHL next season.</p><p>Rooebroeck's pluses are enticing: he's big (6-3 and 210 pounds), a decent skater for his size and a great shooter. But his minuses are worrying: his work ethic and compete level are inconsistent and he doesn't utilize his size as much as he could. </p><p>He's another high-risk, high-reward prospect, but the Hawks can accept that considering how robust their forward prospect pool is.</p><p><b>No. 66: Samu Alalauri, defenseman, Pelicans (Finland)</b></p><p>Alalauri is somewhat difficult to evaluate since he has only played junior hockey in Finland and in international tournaments so far. The 6-2, 220-pound right-handed defenseman is balanced both offensively and defensively.</p><p>But he's headed to UMass next season, which should be illuminating. He'll play with fellow Hawks prospect Vaclav Nestrasil there.</p><p><i>This story will be updated.</i></p>",
  "title": "Analyzing Blackhawks' 2026 draft picks: Xavier Villeneuve, Ryan Roobroeck are high-upside swings",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-27T16:33:37.851Z"
}