As expected, the Blackhawks opted not to sign four prospects and let their draft rights expire Monday with goaltenders Alexis Gravel and Wouter Peeters, right wing Mathias From and defenseman Jake Ryczek.
Gravel, a 2018 sixth-round pick, was one of the best QMJHL goalies during the 2018-19 season and helped the Halifax Mooseheads reach the President’s Cup and Memorial Cup finals, where they fell to Rouyn-Noranda both times. He looked to be in the Blackhawks’ future plans, but an early injury caused by a shard of glass from his terrarium slicing his foot and an inexperienced team in front of him led to a heavy workload and some struggles.