Three Blackhawks Prospects Invited to Team USA 2023 Summer Showcase

Three Chicago Blackhawks were among the 44 players invited Thursday by USA Hockey to participate in the 2023 World Junior Summer Showcase. The tournament will feature Finland, Sweden, and two Team USA teams from July 27-Aug. 4 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan.

Chicago's three representatives are from its 2022 NHL Draft class: forwards Gavin Hayes (third round, No. 66 overall) and Frank Nazar (first round, No. 13), and defenseman Sam Rinzel (first round, No. 25). The evaluation camp will serve as a way for the trio to impress USA Hockey management in hopes of making Team USA's roster for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in December.

Hayes scored 81 points (41 goals, 40 assists) in 66 games with the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League. He had two assists in seven playoff games.

Nazar, who missed the majority of his freshman season at Michigan with an injury, scored seven points (two goals, five assists) in 13 games. His return helped spark the Wolverines' offense en route to the Frozen Four.

Rinzel fully transitioned to the United States Hockey League, where he scored 36 points (nine goals, 27 assists) in 58 games for the Waterloo Black Hawks. The University of Minnesota-bound blue liner averaged a point-per-game in three playoff games (one goal, two assists).