Aidan Thompson could have easily slipped under the radar this season among the Chicago Blackhawks’ deep pool of prospects. Selected in the third round of the 2022 NHL Draft after being overlooked in two previous drafts, Thompson had a respectable start to his collegiate career at the University of Denver. He was steady but didn’t particularly stand out among the group of Blackhawks prospects who were known for their speed and offensive potential. Despite being part of an NCAA championship-winning squad during his sophomore year, his individual statistics remained largely unchanged from his freshman season. For a player once seen as a possible late bloomer, he hadn’t yet delivered on that promise. His omission from Corey Pronman’s list of 27 Blackhawks prospects in The Athletic’s pipeline rankings last August further underscored his under-the-radar status.
But what a difference a season makes. Thompson has transformed himself into one of the key contributors on one of the best teams in college hockey. After dedicating the offseason to getting stronger and refining his shot, his efforts are now paying off in a big way. This season, Denver has surged to a 12-2 record and earned a top-five national ranking, with Thompson playing a crucial role in that success. He’s currently riding a 14-game point streak and ranks second in the nation with 22 points and third with 10 goals.
Blackhawks assistant general manager of player development, Mark Eaton, expressed his excitement over Thompson’s progress, noting the significant leap he’s made this year. “Obviously we like to see the development, improvement from year to year,” Eaton said. “It’s a great thing to see. Happy for him. Talking to him after (a recent game), he’s enjoying the game. He’s loving it.” Eaton emphasized how important it is for players to not only improve but to find joy in their development. For Thompson, this season marks a breakthrough — a big jump forward that may just put him back on the radar in a big way.
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