Waterloo Black Hawks Draft Preview
The United States Hockey League takes a team-by-team look ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft.
The Waterloo Black Hawks have had players selected in 10 of the last 11 NHL Drafts, for a total of 28 picks.
Defenseman
Sam Rinzel was selected in the first round by Chicago with the 25
th overall pick last year and was later joined by
Emmett Croteau (Montreal – 163
rd overall) and
David Gucciardi (Washington – 213
th overall). Other Waterloo first rounders include
Brock Boeser (Vancouver - 23rd overall) in 2015,
Peter Ferraro (New York Rangers - 24th overall) in 1992 and
Shane Bowers (Ottawa - 28th overall) in 2017.
In all, Waterloo has had 53 players selected in the NHL Draft.
Top Prospects for 2023
Aaron Pionk | Defenseman
Central Scouting Rank: #117
College Commitment: Minnesota Duluth
In his first USHL season with Waterloo this year, Pionk tallied 12 goals and 24 assists in 60 games. His 36 points are the second-most amongst Black Hawks defensemen and 10th in the league. Pionk also led the Black Hawks D-men in +/- rating with a plus 20. The University of Minnesota Duluth commit was selected All-USHL Second Team and was named USHL Defenseman of the Week once in 2022-23.
David Klee | Forward
Central Scouting Rank: #188
College Commitment: North Dakota
In his first USHL season Klee recorded three goals and 10 assists for 13 points in 57 games. Committed to play college hockey at the University of North Dakota following his junior hockey career, Klee is the son of former NHL defenseman Ken Klee who played 14 seasons in the NHL for the Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Atlanta Thrashers, Anaheim Ducks and Phoenix Coyotes.
The USHL has had 50-or-more players selected in each of the last five NHL Drafts, with a league-best 57 chosen in 2022 and 2018. In all the USHL has seen 990 of its players selected in total, with at least one player taken in each draft but one dating back to 1981.