The Chicago Blackhawks began their development camp on Monday at the Blackhawks Ice Center, featuring promising prospects from the team’s recent NHL draft selections. Among those making notable impressions were defenseman Xavier Villeneuve and center Ryan Roobroeck, the team’s second-round picks at No. 34 and No. 35 overall, respectively.

Villeneuve, an 18-year-old from Laval, Québec, was the Hawks’ first pick in the 2026 draft following a trade involving defenseman Bowen Byram. The Laval native recorded 38 points (six goals and 32 assists) in 37 games for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) during the 2025-26 season. Committed to Boston University for the 2026-27 campaign, Villeneuve received praise for his scoring, mobility, and hockey IQ despite questions surrounding his 5-foot-11, 163-pound frame.

Assistant General Manager of Player Development Mark Eaton emphasized that Villeneuve’s size is not a concern and highlighted Boston University’s strong track record for developing smaller defensemen. "He’ll have BU’s great program for strength and conditioning, so he’ll gain as much physical development as possible during the season," Eaton explained.

Villeneuve expressed confidence in his offensive vision and puck handling, describing them as rare assets. He also acknowledged the need to add size and compared his build to that of former Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith, who also started his career with a similar stature before bulking up to 192 pounds. Villeneuve said Keith’s career inspired him to embrace the defenseman position and hopes to follow in his footsteps.

Roobroeck, an 18-year-old center from London, Ontario, joined Villeneuve on the ice and also spoke positively about the experience. Selected one spot after Villeneuve, the Hawks traded up to acquire Roobroeck, who played last season with the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) before being traded to the Guelph Storm earlier this month. He totaled 58 points (30 goals and 28 assists) in 49 games for Niagara and expressed gratitude for his time there while looking forward to new opportunities in Guelph.

Both prospects said they felt a connection with the Hawks prior to the draft. “I had a good feeling and a good interview with them at the combine,” Roobroeck said. “They were definitely the top team I thought would select me.” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson praised Roobroeck’s goal-scoring ability but stressed the importance of improving his defensive game and overall play to meet NHL standards.

In addition to Villeneuve and Roobroeck, other Hawks prospects such as Sacha Boisvert, John Mustard, and Mason West participated in the camp’s opening day. Eaton described the group as well-prepared and cohesive despite a demanding schedule that included medical evaluations, physical testing, and on-ice drills. “They handled it like pros,” Eaton said.

The development camp serves as an early step in preparing Chicago’s young talents for future NHL roles, providing them with exposure to professional facilities and guidance from the organization’s coaching and development staff.