Marek Vanacker

Marek Vanacker
Born (2006-04-12) April 12, 2006 (age 18)
Delhi, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 174 lb (79 kg; 12 st 6 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team (P)
Cur. team		 Chicago Blackhawks
Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
NHL draft 27th overall, 2024
Chicago Blackhawks

Marek Vanacker (born April 12, 2006) is a Canadian ice hockey left wing for the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) as a prospect to the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 27th overall by the Blackhawks in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

On April 20, 2022, Vanacker was drafted 23rd overall by the Hamilton Bulldogs in the 2022 OHL Draft.[1] On May 21, 2022, he signed with the Bulldogs.[2] During the 2022–23 season, he recorded four goals and 12 assists in 55 games for the Brantford Bulldogs. During the 2023–24 season, he recorded 36 goals, 46 assists, 22 power-play points and five short-handed goals in 68 regular season games for the Bulldogs. He led the team in goals and points, and ranked second in assists. During the playoffs he recorded three goals and four assists in six games.[3]

On June 28, 2024, Vanacker was drafted 27th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2024 NHL entry draft.[4][5] He was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on August 5, 2024.[6]

International play

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Men's ice hockey
World U18 Championships
Gold medal – first place 2024 Finland

On April 16, 2024, Vanacker was named to Canada's under-18 team for the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships.[7] During the tournament he recorded one goal in six games and won a gold medal.[8]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2021–22 Brantford 99ers OJHL 2 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
2022–23 Hamilton Bulldogs OHL 55 4 12 16 20 6 0 0 0 0
2023–24 Brantford Bulldogs OHL 68 36 46 82 55 6 3 4 7 2
OHL totals 123 40 58 98 75 12 3 4 7 2

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2022 Canada Black U17 4th 7 0 3 3 2
2024 Canada U18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 1 0 1 2
Junior totals 13 1 3 4 4

References

  1. ^ Henry, Jordan (May 10, 2022). "##OHLDraft Introductions: 23rd Overall Pick Marek Vanacker (Hamilton Bulldogs)". chl.ca. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  2. ^ "Hamilton Bulldogs Sign Marek Vanacker". chl.ca. May 21, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  3. ^ Baum, Carter (June 28, 2024). "DRAFT: What the Experts Say About Marek Vanacker". NHL.com. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  4. ^ "RELEASE: Blackhawks Select Levshunov, Boisvert and Vanacker in First Round". NHL.com. June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  5. ^ Pope, Ben (June 28, 2024). "Blackhawks add to draft haul, taking forwards Sacha Boisvert and Marek Vanacker with 18th and 27th picks". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  6. ^ "Blackhawks sign Marek Vanacker to entry-level deal". Chicago Blackhawks. August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  7. ^ "Marek Vanacker Named to Team Canada for U18 World Championship". chl.ca. April 16, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  8. ^ Aykroyd, Lucas (May 4, 2024). "McKenna sparks Canada to gold". IIHF.com. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Chicago Blawkhawks first round draft pick
2024 		Succeeded by
Incumbent


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