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CHICAGO — Sacha Boisvert said he is fine with the comparison.

Boisvert, the 18-year-old center chosen by the Chicago Blackhawks as the No. 18 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, will be attending the University of North Dakota starting in the autumn. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 176 pounds, Boisvert possesses good size and is recognized for his impressive performance in both offensive and defensive aspects of the game.

Kind of like Jonathan Toews, selected by the Blackhawks with the No. 3 pick in the 2006 NHL Draft who played two seasons at North Dakota, was Chicago’s captain from 2008-23 and helped win the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

Boisvert suggested that one should accept the comparison and also learn from the person’s game. He emphasized the importance of gaining insights from various players and incorporating them into one’s own game to improve.

It is yet to be determined if he will become the Blackhawks’ next Toews, but Boisvert’s skills are certainly appreciated by Chicago. Last season, playing for Muskegon in the United States Hockey League, he recorded an impressive 68 points (36 goals, 32 assists) in 61 regular-season games, along with three assists in eight playoff games.

Since the 2007-08 season, no player bound for North Dakota from the USHL has scored more goals than him, as his tally of 36 surpassed Jason Gregoire’s record of 37 goals with Lincoln.

Because Muskegon is in the same division as Chicago in the USHL, the Blackhawks have had numerous encounters with Boisvert over the past two seasons.

“Long body, ultra-competitive,” Blackhawks director of amateur scouting Mike Doneghey said. “He boxes in the summer. His father owns a gym. He plays on the edge, but he also had 36 goals in that league. If you look back at [Winnipeg Jets forward] Kyle Connor and [Vancouver Canucks forward] Brock Boeser and those guys, those are similar numbers to what he had. He’s got size down the middle, he can skate, he’s good on face-offs and he’s another fantastic kid.”

“I haven’t had the chance to watch Boisvert play extensively, but I’ve been impressed with the feedback provided by the scouts,” stated Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson.

Richardson described him as a formidable center who excels at scoring goals in close proximity to the net, adding that he appears to possess remarkable resilience and toughness.

“If you can compare guys that are big in front of the net in his prime, [former NHL forwards] Wayne Simmonds and going back even farther Cam Neely, guys that are big and tough and have a scoring touch around the net, it’s hard to find those guys. We’re pretty excited.”

Boisvert is prepared for the upcoming phase, focusing on enhancing his skills at North Dakota with the ultimate goal of becoming a significant contributor to the Blackhawks.

He expressed his desire to enhance various aspects, stating, “I have numerous areas I wish to enhance. The upcoming year holds great significance as it marks a significant transition towards college. Therefore, my primary focus will be on improving my skating skills, aiming to achieve greater flexibility and lower positions. Additionally, I look forward to witnessing personal growth, both in maturity and physical strength.”