The Blackhawks begin their quest to another Stanley Cup next week, but a pair of prospects have gotten a head start on snagging a ring.
Prospects Nick Schmaltz and Luke Johnson helped No. 3 North Dakota defeat No. 1 Quinnipiac, 5-1, in the Frozen Four championship on Saturday, capping off a career season for both players. It's North Dakota's eighth national title in school history, but first since 2000.
Schmaltz, the Blackhawks' first-round pick (No. 20 overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft, registered 11 goals and 34 assists in 36 games as a sophomore this season for the Fighting Sioux, and recorded one goal and three assists during the tournament, including the game-winner with 56.