Sacha Boisvert, the Chicago Blackhawks' 18th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, signed a three-year entry-level contract with the club on Monday, officially ending his collegiate career with Boston University after a challenging season.
A Season of Unexpected Hurdles at Boston University
Boisvert's year at Boston University didn't go the way people expected. He left North Dakota because of a coaching change, and while he'd been one of the country's best freshmen there, his time at BU was rough — inconsistent play and injuries. He started strong, posting a goal and two assists in his first game, but a nagging shoulder injury soon derailed his momentum. Boisvert attempted to play through the injury, a decision he later reflected on.
“You know, I’m in a new program, playing with new guys. I want to prove to everyone that I’m tough and I’m a team guy and I want to win and everything, and being hurt just kind of obviously slowed down things,” Boisvert stated back in January. “Me wanting to play through it — it’s probably something I shouldn’t have done, but, you know, I’m young, and it’s a learning process. I think I learned a lot from it.”
Eventually the shoulder injury sidelined him. But that wasn't the end of his problems.
Boisvert also faced a suspension for fighting during the season. Then, in a pivotal Hockey East Tournament first-round matchup against Vermont, he was held out of the lineup and declared “unavailable” to play, later reported to be due to being late for a team workout.
He returned for BU's potential season finale, but the Terriers were eliminated by the Connecticut Huskies in the Hockey East quarterfinals on Saturday.
His numbers fell off a cliff compared to his NCHC Rookie of the Year season at North Dakota, when he had 18 goals and 14 assists in 37 games. At BU this year, he scored just three goals and 14 assists in 25 games. Down the stretch he was invisible — zero goals and two assists in his last 10 games.
Blackhawks Remain Confident in Their Top Prospect
Despite the rough year at BU, the Blackhawks still believe in Boisvert. They drafted him in the first round for a reason, and one bad college season isn't going to change that. They like his size, his edge, his skating, and his shot.
Mike Doneghey, the Blackhawks' director of amateur scouting, spoke highly of Boisvert when the team drafted him. “Long body, ultra competitive,” Doneghey said. “He boxes in the summer. His father owns a gym. He plays on the edge, but he also had 36 goals in (the USHL). If you look back at the Kyle Connors and the Brock Boesers and those guys, those are similar numbers to what he had. He’s got size down the middle, he can skate, he’s good on faceoffs and he’s another fantastic kid.”
Boisvert's impressive pre-NCAA career included a standout season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League, where he recorded 68 points in 61 games and earned Third-Team All-Star honours. His NCHC Rookie of the Year performance further showcased his offensive capabilities and competitive drive. The Blackhawks view this year as a learning curve, not a sign of what he'll be in the pros.
Transition to Professional Hockey
The deal is worth $974,167 per year and runs through 2027-28. The contract starts now, so he could be in the lineup any night. He turns 20 on Tuesday.
He's not the only BU guy signing pro deals this week. Star defenceman Cole Hutson, his former Terriers teammate, also signed an entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals on Sunday, with many expecting Hutson to debut shortly. Now he gets to start his pro career with Chicago.
The Blackhawks currently sit last in the Central Division with a 25-30-11 record, seven points back of the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. The Blackhawks are out of the playoff race, but adding young guys like Boisvert shows they're building for later. He could bring some spark to the lineup.
What Lies Ahead for Boisvert
Now Boisvert faces the NHL — a different beast entirely. Chicago's coaches will be watching to see if he can compete in all three zones. It'll take years to develop him, but signing now means he can get started right away.
His size, his edge, and his boxing background — the Blackhawks think that'll work in the NHL. They want to see if he can turn that aggression into points.
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Now it's time for Boisvert to prove the Blackhawks right.
This article was created with AI assistance.
