“Am confident in my ability” – Youngster Kevin Korchinski prepared to handle expectations with Chicago Blackhawks

“Am confident in my ability” – Youngster Kevin Korchinski prepared to handle expectations with Chicago Blackhawks

Kevin Korchinski

Canada’s emerging ice hockey player Kevin Korchinski is aware of the big expectations from him in the upcoming National Hockey League (NHL) season. The 18-year-old defenseman was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks with the No. 7 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, which comes up with enough pressure.

His selection was part of the return Chicago acquired when they traded forward Alex DeBrincat, who scored 41 goals last season, to the Ottawa Senators on July 7.

YouTube video

“Obviously, a little bit more pressure but for me. I’m just kind of worrying about myself, improving every day,” Korchinski said at Chicago’s development camp on July 11, as quoted by NHL.com. “I know what kind of hockey player I am, I’m confident in my ability. So for me, it’s winning each day and getting to the level I want to be at.”

FS Video

“Korchinski can move the puck and has good sticks”

Kevin Korchinski
Kevin Korchinski

The 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds Korchinski is coming off a strong season with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he had 65 points (four goals, 61 assists) in 67 regular-season games and 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in 25 playoff games. The Saskatoon native also helped his side advance to the WHL Final before losing to the Edmonton Oil Kings in six games.

Also Read | “Didn’t own a printer” – Sabres prospect Jeremy Davies runs to Staples to sign NHL contract

“He had a great camp here,” said Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson, who was hired on June 27. “He’s a guy who can move the puck, have a good gap, good sticks.

“Not to compare him or anything, but [former Blackhawks defenseman] Duncan Keith, if he can emulate his game to that level, if he has a chance to look at some footage of him, that’ll be really helpful, because he’s going to be a guy who moves the puck, can add to the offence, but he’s such a good skater and mobility and a good stick.”

Also Read | “A true icon” – Forward star Larry Jeffrey passes away at 81 after battling out eight NHL season