With the 34th pick, the Chicago Blackhawks selected incoming Boston University defenseman Xavier Villeneuve in the 2026 NHL Draft on Saturday at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
Villeneuve earned an ‘A’ rating in the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Players to Watch List released in October, projecting him as a first-round pick. He finished the 2025-2026 season as the 18th-ranked North American skater in the final ranking published in April.
Throughout his three-year major junior career playing for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL, he amassed 166 points in 181 games. He was also named to the 2024 CHL All-Rookie Team and won the 2025 Emile Bouchard Trophy as the QMJHL’s best defenseman.
Internationally, Villeneuve was part of Canada’s gold‑medal team at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship.
However, for the newest Blackhawk, his draft year was not smooth sailing.
After exploding to 22 points in his first 14 games, a hip injury in the new year limited him to 37 out of a possible 64 regular-season games. Returning from injury in late March, he managed a near point-per-game pace during the playoffs, with 14 points in 17 games.
Earlier this month, during the NHL Scouting Combine, Villeneuve was limited in his participation. He did not complete the agility testing or 10-meter sprint drills as he remained recovering from injury.
What sets Villeneuve apart in this draft class is his playmaking and ability to see the ice as an offensive defenseman.
With the departure of defenseman Cole Hutson and a push to revive last season’s 50th-ranked power play, his arrival on Comm Ave. comes at an opportune time for the Terriers.
Although some NHL scouts view Villeneuve’s 5-foot-10 frame as a concern, this won’t be the first time BU features an undersized, offensive-minded defenseman — likely as the quarterback of its top power play unit.
This story will be updated.