After going on a forward-drafting spree, the Chicago Blackhawks selected their second defensemen of the weekend with their last pick of the 2024 NHL draft: Ty Henry.
Henry, who turns 18 in July, is a 6-foot-4 left-handed mobile defensemen who plays a physical defense-first style, which fits right in with the type of players the Blackhawks have been drafting as of late. He played 54 regular season and six playoff games with the Erie Otters in the OHL last season, contributing nine assists while primarily playing in a third-pairing role. Henry is also another fairly raw product with a solid toolkit of size, strength, and solid skating. With the Blackhawks defensive prospect pool so deep, Henry is the type of player they can afford to be patient with in development, hoping they found a late-round gem in this shutdown defenseman.
Here’s some extra information on Henry from the EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide:
“The 6-foot-4 defenceman brings NHL-calibre skating and a clear dimension: Defence. On retrievals, Henry wins body positioning early, then sinks into a deep, explosive punch turn for the escape. He’s a quick, fluid mover who easily closes the distance on opponents, especially laterally. His physicality shines along the boards, where he matches footwork, closes the distance, and battles to get inside the hands. When all else fails, his mobility and reach allow him to recover and disrupt.”