BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Blackhawks, like many teams, consider the opportunity to get to know prospects on a more personal level the most valuable part of NHL Draft combine week.
Canadian center Caleb Desnoyers, one of several strong candidates for the Hawks’ No. 3 overall pick, considered that the most valuable part, too.
“It’s a moment in your life that you look back to and [say], ‘Man, I should’ve enjoyed it more,’ ’’ Desnoyers told the Sun-Times on Friday. “You have to take the time and enjoy the present.”
From Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Desnoyers, 18, had 84 points in 56 regular-season games for the Moncton Wildcats. Then he erupted for another 30 points in 19 games during an impressive playoff run, leading Moncton to a QMJHL championship and Memorial Cup berth.
Desnoyers revealed he did it all while battling two wrist injuries, which finally will have time to heal. He’s awaiting MRI results to determine a timeline, but he won’t participate in combine testing Saturday as a result.
What teams did learn about Desnoyers this week is how calm, charismatic and confident he is. He has a keen understanding of his strengths and weaknesses and his path forward, without taking himself — or the moment — too seriously.
“Whenever I put my skates on, I give 100% [effort], whether I’m hurt or not,” he said. “I want to make the difference as the game-changer for my team. . . . My main factor is I make the players around me better. I can play in every situation, and [I’m] a pretty vocal leader on and off the ice.”
Caleb Desnoyers is going to make an @NHL team in June VERY happy!
The 2025 #NHLDraft prospect wonderfully sets up #stlblues prospect Juraj Pekarcik to open the scoring for the @monctonwildcats in the Gilles-Courteau Trophy Finals! #RoadtoMemorialCup | #QPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/TWlItHgkCJ
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 10, 2025
Desnoyers is the truest center among this year’s five best forward prospects, the others being Michael Misa (who likely won’t be available at No. 3), Anton Frondell, Porter Martone and James Hagens. With the Hawks regarding Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar as long-term centers, however, that positional projection might not affect their decision-making much.
Desnoyers had lofty numbers this season, even though the QMJHL is the weakest Canadian junior league, and the same intelligence, patience and unflappability that he demonstrated in interviews also fueled his offensive success.
While not as elite a shooter or playmaker as some of his top-five peers, he knows how to get open, how to take advantage of space and what to do with the puck in every situation. Scouting expert Chris Peters called Desnoyers a “driving force” who is “noticeable every game, regardless of whether or not he scores.”
And his defensive acumen sets him apart from other top prospects. Desnoyers can use the “200-foot player” cliche with a straight face. He consistently stops on pucks and uses his stick to win battles.
“Since I’m young, for my parents, [they’ve told me] to never cheat on and off the ice,” he said.
“It’s always been something I took pride in, to be good in the three zones. If you’re better in your D-zone, you’ll get more offensive time, so I always took pride in that to get the puck.”
Desnoyers’ older brother, Elliot, is an AHL forward for the Flyers, who hold the No. 6 pick — making that a compelling storyline. But the Hawks have an opportunity to guarantee it doesn’t happen.
“I know Chicago is a great spot, and I’d be thrilled to go there,” Desnoyers said. “Some [Hawks] staff came to Moncton close to Christmastime, and we had great meetings. And obviously this week, [I] had some really good chats with them. So we’ll see what happens.”
The Hawks always focus on prospects’ skating abilities, and Desnoyers is good but not great in that category. He said improving his explosiveness, in particular, will be a training emphasis during the summer.
Gaining strength and weight will be another emphasis, as it is for most prospects. Desnoyers is 6-2 and 180 pounds.