Before playing meaningful games in the Blue Jackets organization, several of the team's prospects will play against each other at the college level. We've already seen this at the junior level when James Malatesta's Quebec Remparts beat Jordan Dumais' Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL Final.
The Blue Jackets have four prospects in their organization playing college hockey this season: Gavin Brindley at Michigan, William Whitelaw at Wisconsin, Guillaume Richard at Providence, and Aidan Hreschuk at Boston College.
With the Big Ten releasing its conference slate for 2023-24, we now know the full schedule for the above prospects. Which games should you circle on your calendar?
Providence @ Michigan (Oct. 7-8)
In the first matchup between Blue Jackets college prospects this season, Richard and the Friars will take on Brindley's Wolverines in the opening series for both teams.
How often will Richard's defensive pairing be on the ice against Brindley's line?
Michigan vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 3-4 @ UW, Jan. 26-27 @ UM)
After he was drafted, Whitelaw spoke about the opportunity to play in the Big Ten.
"I think everyone's good there," Whitelaw said. "It's a high, fast, skilled, pace game & I think that fits my game really well. And I think the Big Ten's an unbelievable league and preps you well for the NHL."
We'll get a good look at how well he adjusts to the conference as a freshman when he takes on the powerhouse that is Michigan.
Gavin Brindley (Michigan) will face off against William Whitelaw (Wisconsin) in Madison on Nov. 3-4 and Jan. 26-27 in Ann Arbor. #CBJ
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) August 28, 2023
Providence vs. Boston College (Jan. 12-13, home and home)
The matchup between these Hockey East foes provides a battle between Richard and Hreschuk, although with both of them being defensemen, who knows how much they'll actually battle against each other.
Michigan @ Ohio State (Feb. 2-3)
This will be local Blue Jackets fans' first chance to see Brindley in person since this summer's development camp in a rivalry that, regardless of the score, never disappoints.
Wisconsin @ Ohio State (Feb. 16-17)
Whitelaw will be making his first appearance at the Schottenstein Center where the Buckeyes swept the Badgers last season.
Michigan @ Minnesota (Mar. 1-2)
In the final series of the regular season, the conference's two best teams in the past two seasons--and likely this season as well--play at 3M Arena at Mariucci, the barn where Michigan has defeated Minnesota in the previous two Big Ten Tournament championship games. The two teams will also play in Ann Arbor on Nov. 10-11.
While the main storyline among Blue Jackets college prospects is Brindley's performance in his sophomore season, Whitelaw, Richard, and Hreschuk shouldn't be forgotten about.
