LOS ANGELES -- Mason West has role models for his journey toward making the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, who selected him in the first round (No. 29) of the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft on Friday.New York Islanders captain Anders Lee and Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson have navigated parts of the journey West hopes to make.

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson explained why he traded back into the first-round to take a dual-sport forward.

The 'Hawks traded back into the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft and selected a 6-foot-6 center, adding size to their pipeline.