With the 43rd overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks selected defenseman Alex Vlasic. Vlasic is actually a Wilmette, Illinois native and regarded as shutdown defenseman with some offensive upside. He also comes from a strong pedigree, as his cousin is San Jose Sharks’ defenseman, Marc-Edouard Vlasic.
Alex Vlasic is a big bodied defenseman who stands at 6’6″ 198 lbs. He said to be solid skater with high hockey IQ and good vision. This pick checks off some boxes for the Blackhawks, as they made defense a priority this offseason. Vlasic fits the long term plans as a left-handed defensive-minded defenseman, who will complement the plethora of right-handed offensive-minded defensemen in the Blackhawks’ system.