At 17, Mason West is skating toward the NHL with a football under one arm and a hockey stick in the other. For now, he’s still got cleats on, but the ice is calling.
He’s 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, and already has the build of a professional athlete. But for a few more months, the Chicago Blackhawks’ first-round pick is just another Minnesota high school senior trying to make every Friday night count.
A First-Round Pick With Two Playbooks
On June 28, the Blackhawks surprised many by trading up with the Carolina Hurricanes to grab the No. 29 pick in the NHL draft. Their target? Mason West, a kid out of Edina, Minnesota — known as much for Friday night touchdowns as he is for power-play goals.
It was a bet on potential, but also a bet on mentality. West had racked up 27 goals and 49 points in 31 games last hockey season. He wasn’t just productive — he was dominant. That performance, alongside his leadership on the football field, painted a rare portrait: a dual-sport athlete in an age of specialization.
Edina football went 8-3 in 2024 with West under center. He led the team in passing yards and total touchdowns, and drew interest from several smaller D1 football programs.
But hockey? That’s always been the plan.
No Days Off — Literally
Managing one sport at the varsity level is a challenge. Two? That’s borderline insane. West admits the balancing act has gotten tougher as stakes rise.
“Some days I’m watching film and reviewing defenses, then I’m at the rink an hour later working on power skating,” West said in a recent interview. “It’s a lot, but I feel like they help each other.”
He talks about pocket presence in football and spatial awareness in hockey. Footwork. Mental reads. Physical conditioning. The overlaps aren’t obvious until he breaks them down, and suddenly you see how one sport feeds the other.
And still — it’s exhausting.
One coach who’s followed West’s development since middle school summed it up like this: “He’s basically living two lives.”
Why the Blackhawks Moved Up
Chicago scouts had been tracking West for over a year. His size was a factor — that’s a given. But it was the raw athleticism and his ceiling that drew them in.
By trading with Carolina to reach No. 29, Chicago signaled they were looking for upside. West’s 49-point campaign wasn’t just about stats — it was how he generated offense: using size, instincts, and a quarterback’s vision.
A Blackhawks staffer, speaking anonymously, said, “We know he’s not NHL-ready tomorrow. But we’re not drafting for today. He’s a 6’6″ forward with football toughness and a hockey brain.”
That’s not common.
What the Numbers Say
West’s junior year numbers were eye-catching — and not just in hockey. Here’s how he stacked up in both sports last season:
| Sport | Key Stats | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Hockey | 27 Goals, 49 Points (31 games) | Career highs, led team in both categories |
| Football | 2,412 Yards, 21 TDs (2024 season) | Led Edina to 8–3 record, state playoff berth |
His coach at Edina High said there were moments where he’d take a hard hit on Friday night, and then show up the next morning for hockey film sessions without complaint.
“He just doesn’t stop,” the coach said.
Fargo First, Then Michigan State
After this fall, West’s full attention shifts to the USHL’s Fargo Force — a key transition for any future NHLer.
The Force play a long, grinding schedule that mimics the pro environment more than any high school circuit can. For West, it’ll be a test of stamina, consistency, and how fast he can adapt to faster, meaner, older competition.
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USHL debuts often set the tone for draft picks. West’s ability to make an early impact in Fargo will likely dictate how soon he reaches the AHL or NHL.
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Michigan State is next in line. He’s committed to the Spartans for the 2026-27 season, and the staff there is already thinking about where he fits in their top six.
Whether he sticks with center or shifts to the wing long-term is still undecided. But either way, he’s a matchup problem waiting to happen.
Could Football Still Lure Him Back?
There’s still a season left. One more shot at a football title. And yes, there’s chatter in recruiting circles — low-level Big Ten teams and FCS programs quietly asking if he might change his mind.
But West says no.
“Hockey’s where I see my future. Football’s just something I love.”
That doesn’t mean it won’t be emotional when the cleats come off for good.
“I’m not gonna lie. That last game in pads is going to hit me hard,” he said. “But I know where I’m going.”
More Than a Draft Pick
The Blackhawks didn’t just draft a power forward. They drafted a captain. A competitor. A teenager still figuring things out like the rest of us — but with NHL ice in his future and varsity turf under his cleats for a little while longer.
He’s chasing state rings and NHL dreams in the same breath.
That doesn’t happen every day.
