On Mondays, chicagoblackhawks.com will highlight players who stood out for their minor-league, junior, college or European teams in the previous week's action. All prospect/system stats will be updated weekly throughout the season.
1st Star: D Henri Jokiharju, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
The Line: 3GP, 1G, 4A
Jokiharju's torrid start to his second Western Hockey League campaign continued last week as the 2017 first-round pick collected five points (1G, 4A) in three outings. He tallied a goal and two assists in a 5-4 overtime victory against Kelowna on Saturday, with one of the helpers coming on the game-winner; the next night, he added a pair of assists in a 8-2 win over the Rockets. Jokiharju ranks third among WHL defensemen with 13 points (4G, 9A) in the first nine games of the season.
2nd Star: C Matthew Highmore, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
The Line: 2GP, 2G, 1A
Highmore's professional debut has been commendable, with the free-agent signing picking up points in each of his first three games. Last week he contributed two goals and an assist in two outings, including a two-goal performance on Saturday in a 7-4 win over Iowa. Highmore added an assist on Sunday in a 5-3 loss to Milwaukee and now has three goals and two helpers this season.
3rd Star: D Joni Tuulola, Sport (FIN)
The Line: 3GP, 1G, 1A
Tuulola, the Blackhawks' sixth-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, has put together a somewhat surprising start to the season, showing off a more developed offensive side to his game. He picked up a goal and an assist in Sport's 3-2 loss to SaiPa and continues to lead team defensemen with 12 points (3G, 9A) in 15 games this season, which ranks second among league blueliners.