Its an art, not a science.. He then got into college coaching and was everything from a volunteer coach to a head coach at various levels. Not that confidence is a big issue with me anyways. I like putting teams together. But now, the staff will be regionalized with only a few people, including Doneghey, crossing over. Bowen Byram, Cole Caufield, Alex Turcotte and Trevor Zegras are reportedly among them. Mike Doneghey, the man behind Blackhawks' draft picks Sep 22, 2020. He really caught my eye early in the year because I thought he really made a jump from the end of last year to puck drop this year. Hes very, very sharp. Jokiharju was traded for Alex Nylander, who the Blackhawks thought could be a top-six forward but didnt develop into that. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Ahead of his first draft as the director of amateur scouting, he has some some extra excitement, too. In addition to those reasons, one league source thought Kelley wasnt as thorough in recent years as he was in the past. I do think I have a good perspective on players and an eye for talent, especially at the amateur level, which is where I grew up watching hockey, Davidson said. Follow Mark on Twitter @MarkLazerus. Brother: David Kelley, Player profile of Mark Kelley also available, You need to have EP Premium Him, Norm and Jeff, they have certain traits and characteristics where they want to build it, and its my job to find those players that check those boxes, if you will. The other two candidates are likely WHL centers Kirby Dach of Saskatoon and Dylan Cozens of Lethbridge, who are ranked Nos. To this day, Kelley and Jack still talk plenty of hockey. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Kelley was presented a unique opportunity before the 1993-94 season to join the Pittsburgh Penguins and help in a partnership with the Russian team CSKA in the KHL. But its hard to do. Asked about that trend following the 2021 draft, Kelley said: I think youre always looking to get size. And thats a big ask for Askarov. The Swedish scouts scouted the Swedish league; Mikko Luoma had Finland covered; Andrei Nikolishin handled the Russian players; and Karel Pavlik took Slovakia, the Czech Republic and even snuck into Germany, as Kelley put it. He also helped find gems outside the first round such as Brandon Saad, Andrew Shaw, and Alex DeBrincat. Last Update. Jack believes now he was too tough on Kelley as a player because he didnt want anyone else on the team to think he was soft with his son. Blackhawks Talk Podcast: Mark Kelley on 2020 NHL Draft Mark was more profound in seeking out information and what have you.. There were plenty of misses in some of those drafts, too, but the Blackhawks accumulated enough quality players during that time and especially hit big when they selected in the top five. He knows these guys better than I do. Many of those defensemen have been either traded (Boqvist, Jokiharju, Krys) or leaped over in the organizational depth chart. He spent six seasons on the Blackhawks beat for the Chicago Sun-Times after covering Notre Dames run to the BCS championship game in 2012-13. Very smart player with a really good skill set. Davidson also saw it was time. NHL Draft Fan Q&A: Mark Kelley | NHL.com The latest news, analysis and stories from NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey League The latest news, analysis and stories from. The Chicago Blackhawks and Blackhawks.com are trademarks of Chicago Blackhawk Hockey Team, Inc. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. As much as the responsibility and accountability fall on Davidson, he has entrusted others to help make those decisions. The advantage for us there is we got to see theres more to his game than just the offense weve seen when hes playing with the U-18 national team. And when Kelley decided to retire as a player. Fortunately, Kelley got to see everyone at the U.S. National Team Development Program and the Big Ten right up the road from his house in Plymouth, Mich., and he saw plenty of USHL players along the way. All the above listed tests will be open to NHL teams and the media. 12 overall pick. Now were projecting these kids to be what theyre going to be the rest of their lives.. Thats our job., (Photo of Dawson Mercer: Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images). He drafted Marcus Kruger and Vinnie Hinostroza in the sixth round and Andrew Shaw in the fifth round. (1:02) - The growth of Blackhawks rookie Kirby Dach wasn't expected this soon, (5:36) - Not having the combine hurts scouting, (9:24) - Characterizing the 2020 draft class, (12:35) - Finding another Brayden Point in the draft, (16:20) - Blackhawks drafting philosophy is to take best player available, (22:35) - Charlie and Slavko react to Mark Kelley interview, Presented By Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich, article_body => "

With the unprecedented way this year has impacted the NHL, teams are getting creative with how they prepare for offseason activities including the NHL Draft. After a short stint in the East Coast Hockey League, he took a job in the real world and worked for a computer company. Mark Kelley - Vice President,.. - Chicago Blackhawks - ZoomInfo Previously, the staff had its own regions, but there was a lot of crossing over. Take control of your EliteProspects profile! Uncle: Paul Kelley Alec Regula, Isaak Phillips and Jakub Galvas have been getting more NHL games than Beaudin and Mitchell of late. Important: An official team/league url or a team document must be provided for us to update staff stats. Boqvist helped in acquiring Seth Jones, but the Blackhawks gave up so much more in that deal that its difficult to assess how much value Boqvist had. I guess, in fairness to answer your question, size was attractive to us.. To start that process, many people believed someone other than Kelley needed to be making those decisions. 88K subscribers in the hawks community. He plays with a lot of speed, a lot of power, and really has a presence going up the ice. We only use official stats. Does this guy have the potential to grow? All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. Director of scouting Mark Kelley breaks down potential Blackhawks draft As in previous years, the top 25 results from each of the physical tests will be posted in real-time to centralscouting.nhl.com. About six months in, I was like, nope, not doing this, Doneghey said. Graham Knott was their top pick in the 2015 draft, and he never played an NHL game before being traded. You just can tell that coaches love him because hes very, very responsible. Weve had the luxury of watching Matty, really, for three years because hes double-underage and he was playing with the USA U-18 team in the World Championships. Previously, he covered the Blackhawks and the White Sox for ESPN Chicago. Bowman was also the person who decided to trade away some of Kelleys best picks, including Danault and Teravainen, who could have had large roles now. Here are the times the six prospects from the Blackhawks projected list will be tested: Checking in on the Blackhawks prospects playing in Europe. Try a week on us. I was told I cant say anything to you. Once the expansion draft is over, I expect Stan (Bowmans) phone to be going off. Jack is proud of the person Kelley has become on and off the ice. As the Blackhawks brought in more and more defensemen of all sizes with high draft picks, the depth of their forward quality decreased. But no, because the amount of information and work that our scouts put into it and the relationship that Ive had Ive worked with these guys, so Ive known what theyve been able to do. A good two-way defenseman. Stewart was promoted to assistant GM alongside Davidson and Mark Eaton in November 2020 after rising up the organizational ladder steadily since 2006. He also played on the gold-medal World Juniors team (no points in seven games). And so over time, it does get easier. Kelley always understood his dad had to be that way with him. 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We surveyed nearly 40 members of the Blackhawks scouting department to find the top-ranked prospects across 15 categories analyzing on-ice skill, play style and personality traits. Guys such as Marc-Andre Fleury (whom Kelley drafted when he was working with the Penguins), Roberto Luongo, Andrei Vasilevskiy and Rick DiPietro (OK, so some miss, but injuries, not talent, derailed DiPietros career). What you need to know: Kelley, 19, recorded five points (three goals, two assists) in 25 games this season as a freshman for the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Director of scouting Mark Kelley breaks down potential Blackhawks draft Hes very easy to find when hes on the ice. He was then hired to be the general manager and head coach of the Bridgewater Bandits in the Eastern Junior Hockey League, which was one of the top junior leagues in the New England area. Complete player biography and stats. How long could it take the Blackhawks to replenish their prospect system and start seeing the dividends at the NHL level? He was playing regularly right up till maybe sometime in February, (when) they brought in an older goaltender who had been playing in the KHL. He is expected to return to Minnesota-Duluth for his sophomore campaign. We talk about the Blackhawks a lot, Jack said. Mark Lazerus is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Chicago Blackhawks and the NHL. I think thats what our mindset has to be.. - Verification Badge on your profile, Post a comment/trivia/testimonial in English, Chicago Blackhawks / NHL. Its not fair to place all the blame on Kelley, though. I feel great, Doneghey said. On the way home from the 2006 draft, Kelley happened to run into Dale Tallon, the Blackhawks general manager at the time, at the airport. Sign up for EP Premium and verify your profile to access these benefits. Hes played both center and wing, so theres an attraction there. All those experiences added up. He started out with a few areas to scout, then it expanded to where he was contributing more to the Blackhawks draft lists. Who should they target? Dynamite. He told me I should contact them all and tell them they should still go to Colby, Kelley said. He wasnt a father who pulled out a hockey jersey from the closet and pretended to know the game. Podcast: Blackhawks' Mark Kelley on 2020 NHL Draft - RSN Mark Lazerus is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Chicago Blackhawks and the NHL. Mark Kelley joins Charlie Roumeliotis as they discuss the Blackhawks\u2019 2020 draft board, how they have scouted players and Mark's thoughts on the incoming class. When we watch the league, how its going now, the big defenders are having a lot of success or I should say the teams that have the big defenders are having a lot of success. But where were picking, were going to get a player that can make an impact. Hell feel even better once the expansion draft is out of the way and things really get cooking. Submit changes (incorrect DOB, missing stats, incorrect stats, social media links etc) using a web form and we will review your update request within 24 hours and update accordingly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Maybe one of those most skilled players in the draft. 13 in order to have a chance. But youre still dealing with 17-year-olds. Even when I was at Bridgewater, I was able to put teams together, make trades, pick players up, go out scouting and watch younger players, so Ive always liked the scouting aspect of it. Perry believes the time to say goodbye is now, especially with every founding band member over the age of 70. Pierre Gauthier, who is now the Blackhawks player personnel director, hired Kelley with the Nordiques. Mark Kelley Contact Information. That was the answer numerous league sources gave as to why recently named Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson needed to part ways with vice president of amateur scouting Mark Kelley on Friday. Davidson recently explained that he liked how Doneghey had some similar scouting philosophies, but he brought his own strong opinions about players. Hes never had a draft pick higher than No. Kelley explains why Blackhawks took Allen in first round - Daily Herald Davidson had a clear picture of how Doneghey might run a scouting staff if given the opportunity. But what you find with goaltenders is once the first one goes, theres probably going to be a run (of goalies taken) at every one of those tiers. Really smart player. Doneghey grew up in West Roxbury, a neighborhood in Boston, and still carries his native Boston accent. Not to mention many. Kelley was there when the Blackhawks drafted Kane in 2007. So for me, the last two years has been a learning experience. We have to deal with the draft selection. 39, chief scout Mark Kelley and general manager Stan Bowman who have learned over the years that size isn't everything pounced on. The Blackhawks are closing in on who they want to select with the No. In recent years, the Blackhawks have tried to go the complete opposite way in drafting defensemen. I guess what the challenge is for the staff, for us to do our jobs and come up with something in those picks that we think can impact the Blackhawks.. He would never go four, five, six days without a phone call, just to see how everything is going. Over time, it does become easier because you see certain traits and characteristics. 8 NA)/, Peyton Krebs of WHL Kootenay (now Winnipeg)/. Thankfully, I knew Ronnie Anderson, who I played for at Merrimack, worked for the Blackhawks, and he was transitioning to his new role, so they were looking for a part-time guy in New England.. Email. Mark Lazerus is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Chicago Blackhawks. As Davidson mentioned, theres an energy around Doneghey. He coached national championship teams at Boston University, spent time as the Hartford Whalers general manager and the Pittsburgh Penguins president. Those are Cy Young numbers. Hes got great hand-eye coordination, a great skill set. Career Mark Kelley joined Chicago Blackhawks in 2006. Blackhawks Sports NHL Blackhawks drawn to 1st-round pick Nolan Allan by the 'subtleties of his game' Allan's performance with Canada at the under-18 world championship impressed Hawks general manager Stan Bowman and scouting director Mark Kelley. A lot of great speed coming down the wing, can really shoot the puck. Why the Blackhawks needed a change in their amateur scouting leadership With a Premium subscription, you'll get access to over 30 tools, features and benefits. Jack was around the Stanley Cup last year and will be again this summer, as his grandson Andy Saucer is a video coach for the Penguins. When asked about the trend after the first round in 2018, Kelley said: The philosophy, I think, has changed the fact that the defenseman has to get back quick and has to be able to move the puck quick. W The Blackhawks hoped to hit on DeBrincat, Krys and forward Artur Kayumov with three second-round picks in 2016, and only DeBrincat has worked out. He played a little in the SHL, so we got a little different taste of him, because there he had fourth-line minutes, so he had to change his game. Get Full Access To Mark's Info. Scott Powers is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Chicago Blackhawks. That being said, Wallstedts numbers and his performance in the SHL got everyones attention. But most of all, the moves again shake up a front office that barely changed for years under Stan Bowman but has lost a ton of well-known faces in the last two years. If they draft poorly, well, they probably wont. Mike Donaghey, the Hawks director of player personnel, will now oversee amateur scouting on an interim basis, while the Hawks pro scouts will temporarily report directly to Davidson. Hes a very, very good skater. He has also written for the Daily Herald and the Chicago Sun-Times and has been a sportswriter in the Chicagoland area for the past 15 years. But scouting director Mark Kelley is confident as the Hawks make their final preparations for the first round Friday (7 p.m., ESPN2) and second through seventh rounds Saturday (10 a.m., NHL Network). Whats not to like? Doneghey was hired full-time the following season and has been with the organization ever since. A lot of length to his game. But it goes deeper. There havent been so many trades so far because if you traded for a player, then you had to go through the expansion draft. The Blackhawks will need a similar run in drafting talent if theyre going to compete for another Stanley Cup, especially if its going to be under Davidson. In Chicago, were about winning and we want to win the Cup.. Doneghey and Davidson built their relationship over the years on scouting trips together. When Im watching young kids play, certain young kids just pick up things and understand things. Blackhawks Prospects | Chicago Blackhawks - NHL If we lose, I wont talk to him for a couple days hoping thats not the topic of the discussion. 3 and 5 in NHL Central Scouting final rankings for North American skaters, respectively. Jack only spent one season coaching Kelley because he wanted to get back into the professional game. Like those type of players in the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh round that the regional scout just knows those players so well that theyre adamant that this is the guy that we got to take. Mark Kelley - Elite Prospects Great mobility, great range. Plays in Flint, right up the road from me. Hes 89. Hell, even Crawford took more than seven years to become an NHL regular. But likely not having their 2022 first-round pick, which will probably be in the top 10, because of the Jones trade will make their job tougher. Blackhawks Make Front Office Changes - Pro Hockey Rumors Follow Mark on Twitter @MarkLazerus. I had seen a lot of the guys that were on the map for the draft what you think they are and what you think theyre going to be versus when they finally play in the NHL. 07:23. Later on in the pod, Charlie is joined by Slavko Bekovic to react to the Mark Kelley interview and discuss their key takeaways that fans should pay attention to. I think we go into every draft with goaltenders that we would like to target at certain times. What stands out for me is he was an 18-year-old player in the SHL, and he was an important part of the Djurgrden team. Two years later, Kelley was made the Blackhawks director of amateur scouting. In a lot of ways, it was a natural transition for him. Kelley was allowed to go everywhere his dad was as a coach and just paid attention. I feel good and ready to go.. Really impressive. If you watch some of his games, some of the highlights, you can see he really can think the game at a different level. Come on! He was rarely traveling to view prospects in certain regions. Doneghey thought that led to scouts having limited opinions on many players. Hes discovered some talent deep in the draft, too. He jokes hes working on trying to speak slower for people. Norm Maciver, Jeff Greenberg, Meghan Hunter, Mark Eaton and Brian Campbell will all certainly play key roles. Two of the highest-ranking members of the hockey-operations department Ryan Stewart, the assistant GM who headed pro scouting, and Mark Kelley, the longtime amateur scouting director were let go Friday by the Hawks, according to a team memo. Hes very well respected in the scouting fraternity.. As for those hockey conversations he and his son now share, Jack wanted to keep those to himself. Blackhawks head scout Mark Kelley breaks down the NHL - The Athletic Podcast: Blackhawks' Mark Kelley previews 2021 NHL Draft - RSN The paint just wouldnt dry.. He wasnt pursuing something bigger then. We have a great relationship, Kelley said. They didnt tell me at the time, but a year or year and a half so later they told me the opportunity in the Northeast was there because the year Jeremy Roenick had got drafted very high by Chicago, Quebec didnt have much on him at all. But he wants to play as fast as we can. Hed be a really great addition to a team., 2019-20 stats: 42 goals, 56 assists in 58 games, Kelleys take: Seth had a really good year. Its been easy to develop that trust, though. I think you have to have a confident level to be in this. Hear from VP of Amatuer Scouting Mark Kelley on Chicago's selection of Lukas Reichel in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft. The combine will not be broadcasted on NHL Network in the United States. NHL Combine: Blackhawks to make final assessments prior to making 3rd His coaches like him and hes engaged down the middle. He called me back and he gave me the job. And there were others traded to acquire players who were a part of the Cups as well. Hes leading up a staff one of the strongest franchises in the National Hockey League and he came from a franchise that was a Stanley Cup winner, NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said. Hes 6-5, skates, mobile, he thinks the game, he has the presence. I think when you have someone whos like Mike whos going to lead by example but also just bring the best out of everyone else, then thats the kind of guy want leading the group.. Itll be interesting to see whom Davidson appoints in Kelleys place. The one thing I would say about our staff, I think all the scouts are aggressive. Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Mark Kelley, 1958-06-20 Waterville, ME, USA USA. They took five defensemen who were 6-foot or under in the first two rounds of the NHL Draft from 2016 to 2018. You dont know where the GM interjected, if there were mandates on certain criteria or if there was ownership pressure. I think I had two or three conversations with Pierre. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. His game stands out at both ends of the ice., 2019-20 stats: 10 goals, 12 assists in 17 games at lower-tier MHL; no goals, two assists in 21 KHL games, Kelleys take: We watched him quite a bit the year before because he was playing on that under-18 team that lost to Sweden in the finals over in Sweden.