PITTSBURGH (MCT) — If Jeremy Roenick had his way, no other player ever would wear No. 27 while playing for the Blackhawks.
But if the former Hawks star would want anyone to don the number he wore on the back of a Hawks sweater, it would be his nephew, Chris Calnan. Calnan was the Hawks’ third-round selection (79th overall) in the NHL entry draft Saturday at Consol Energy Center.
“He might be the only one that I would like wearing it,” Roenick said with a chuckle. “I’m really happy that the Hawks drafted him. There isn’t a better organization for him to develop through the ranks.”
Roenick, who is married to the sister of Calnan’s mother, spoke glowingly of the prospect’s attributes on and off the ice.
“He’s a fantastic person,” Roenick said via phone. “One thing I noticed about him right away was his intelligence. (Also), how he reads the play and his unselfishness. He’s going to be a great professional.”
Calnan was born in Boston and will attend Boston College on a full scholarship. He called Roenick “a great inspiration to me” and got some pre-draft advice from his famous uncle.
“Just hang in there (and) be patient,” Calnan said Roenick told him. “It’s a long road and it’s what you do after the draft.”
Local kid: The Hawks didn’t look far for their sixth-round pick as they selected Vincent Hinostroza of Bartlett with the 169th overall selection.
“It always has been a dream to get picked up by Chicago — I never thought this day would come,” said Hinostroza, a center who drove eight hours from Bartlett to Pittsburgh to attend the draft. “I always grew up watching the Hawks and going to games so I’m really excited.”
In the spotlight: Former Hawks assistant general manager Marc Bergevin participated in his first draft since taking over as GM of the Canadiens last month. Bergevin faces intense scrutiny as the man in charge of an Original Six team in hockey-crazy Montreal and is adjusting to that aspect of the job.
“Chicago has the Bulls, the Bears, the Cubs and White Sox — in Montreal it’s all Canadiens,” Bergevin said. “It’s a passion.”
Bergevin said Chicago, where he was also a player with the Hawks, always will have a place in his heart.
“I’ll never forget winning a Stanley Cup (in 2010) — that’s the pinnacle of my career,” he said. “My intention is to bring one to Montreal.”
Progress report: No one knows the journey Hawks’ top pick Teuvo Teravainen (TAY-vo Terra-VINE-en), faces more than their last first choice, Mark McNeill. The 18th overall selection last year is in Edmonton, Alberta, training for next season and preparing to make a run for a roster spot with the Hawks. McNeill and Teravainen likely will attend next month’s prospect camp along with other young players in the system.
“I’m taking it day-by-day this summer and just working my hardest and working on areas of my game that will help me next season,” McNeill said. “I’ve been through that process one year already and will go into this year a little more comfortable and more relaxed.”
