Kyle Beach

It was a disappointing 2011-12 for Beach, who spent most of the season in sick bay with a shoulder injury. The former 11th overall pick (2008) is still a solid prospect, but his star has tarnished a bit because of questions about his lack of hockey sense. He's a great skater with good hands who's willing to mix things up, and will some day have value in leagues that count hits and PIMs. A good year in the AHL could earn him a look in 2013-14.

Beach has underachieved so far as a Blackhawk prospect and management is looking for him to step up his game this year. The 12th overall pick in the 2008 draft, Beach scored 16 goals and assisted on 20 in 71 games last year. Look for Beach to spend a good portion of the 2011-12 season in Rockford before he is called up to produce for the Hawks this season.

Beach might make a big jump to the Blackhawks after just finishing his junior career with the Western Hockey League's Spokane Chiefs. Last season he collected 52 goals and 86 points for the Chiefs. But the biggest number that sticks out is the 186 penalty minutes. He scored three goals in four playoff games for Rockford of the AHL. He has a checkered past with his feistiness to say the least and even had a couple fights during the Blackhawks' prospect camp.

Beach was assigned to the juniors on Sept. 21. At the start of the 09-10 preseason camp, there was an outside chance of Beach making the Hawks this season. He still had junior eligibility. Beach though is one of the Hawks' top prospects.

Beach was thought to be a top-five talent in this year's draft, but reports of his bad temperament allowed him to drop to Chicago as the 11th overall pick. His strong play at the Hawks' prospect camp this summer has many in the organization excited at the possibility of his inclusion on this year's roster, but he will have to show he has a mental game ready for the NHL during training camp to solidify a spot.