NHL Scouts Eye Hawks
October 25, 2022 – United States Hockey League (USHL) – Waterloo Black Hawks News Release
Waterloo, Iowa – Five skaters who have appeared for the Waterloo Black Hawks this season – plus four others who could join the team in the future – dot the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Players to Watch list, which was released on Tuesday.
Forwards Gavyn Thoreson, James Hong, and David Klee, as well as defensemen Aaron Pionk and Gennadi Chaly have each been part of Waterloo’s 4-4-0 start. Giacomo Martino, Jackson Nevers, Teddy Townsend, and Calvin Vachon are each Black Hawks prospects. All nine players were graded as “C” 2023 NHL Draft candidates by NHLCS.
“We are happy to see players who are a part of our organization being recognized by Central Scouting,” said Hawks General Manager Bryn Chyzyk, adding, “We also have a handful of other guys that I was shocked to not see on this list. NHL teams are watching those guys too, and I would anticipate that they will attract NHLCS’s interest as the year progresses.”
Thoreson is currently the Hawks’ leading scorer with eight points (four goals, four assists). The St. Cloud State recruit scored Waterloo’s overtime-winner on Saturday during a 3-2 road victory against the Omaha Lancers.
Pionk was recognized as the USHL Defenseman of the Week on October 12th and is tied for third in team scoring with five points (three goals, two assists). A Minnesota State prospect, Pionk’s +6 plus/minus differential leads the team while tying for seventh overall in the USHL.
Hong is also committed to Minnesota State. Combining his full 2021/22 campaign in Waterloo with eight appearances this year, he has 12 goals and 16 assists in 69 USHL regular season games.
Chaly made his Hawks debut on October 14th and already has two goals and an assist in four games. He committed to Vermont last week.
Klee has skated in all eight Waterloo games to date. He also made six appearances last season as an affiliate. Klee is a future North Dakota Fighting Hawk.
Vachon is currently a goaltender at Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep in Minnesota and represented the United States during the Hlinka Gretzky Cup tournament in August. Martino is a forward skating with the St. Michael’s Buzzers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Nevers and Townsend are also forwards; both have roots with powerful Minnesota High School programs (Edina and Eden Prairie respectively).
Three Black Hawks were selected during the 2022 NHL Draft in July, including current Waterloo players Sam Rinzel (Chicago Blackhawks) and Emmett Croteau (Montreal Canadiens).
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