Edina’s multi-sport phenom eyes NHL dreams after first-round pick by Blackhawks
Seventeen-year-old Mason West just made the kind of decision most athletes can only dream of. A star on both the ice and the gridiron, West has officially chosen hockey as his future—capping off a whirlwind summer that saw him drafted in the first round of the NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.
“It was a kind of a blackout situation for me,” West said of the moment he heard his name called 29th overall. “I don’t really know. It was a surreal moment.”
The Edina native has been a fixture in Minnesota high school sports for years. Now, he’s stepping onto a much bigger stage.
Why Chicago Feels Like Home
Mason West wasn’t just picked by any NHL franchise. For him, the Blackhawks carry a bit of personal history.
“My dad is from Chicago,” he said. “He brought the Blackhawks era into our household along with the Bulls and Cubs. It’s kinda cool. I have family down in Chicago. So it’s all kinda worked out.”
There’s a quiet symmetry to it all — a young Minnesota star heading to the team his father once idolized. For the West family, this isn’t just a career move. It’s generational.
Even before the draft, West’s name had been circulating among scouts and hockey insiders. His skating, his IQ, and his leadership on the ice made him a standout. Going first-round just cemented what many already believed: this kid has NHL written all over him.
A Bitter End to a Brilliant Season
Despite all the buzz, West isn’t someone who dwells too long on accolades. His most recent hockey season with Edina ended on a sour note: a semifinal loss at the Minnesota state tournament.
“It was tough because I want to win,” he said. “So if we don’t win the state championship, I don’t look at it as a failure, but I look at it as something that they can do next year.”
For West, it’s never just about numbers or trophies. It’s about impact. He led by example, on the ice and off. He was the guy teammates looked to when things got messy in a third period or when a goal was needed most.
He’ll skip his senior season at Edina High, choosing instead to join the Fargo Force in the USHL — a common route for top-tier prospects on the NHL path. But he’s not completely walking away from high school sports just yet.
One More Ride Under the Friday Night Lights
Though his days lacing up for the Hornets’ hockey team are done, West is sticking around just a little longer — as Edina’s starting quarterback.
Football has always been more than a side hobby for West. He’s good. Like, really good. Strong arm. Great instincts. And fearless when the play breaks down. But hockey was always the frontrunner.
Still, there’s unfinished business.
West said he wanted one more season leading his team under the lights before heading off. Coaches didn’t try to stop him. Teammates were thrilled.
And let’s be honest — not many high school football teams get to say their QB was drafted by the NHL.
A Multi-Sport Athlete in a One-Sport World
It’s becoming rarer to see athletes like Mason West — ones who can truly juggle two demanding sports at a high level.
• West led Edina’s hockey team to multiple state tournament appearances
• He quarterbacked the football team through one of its best regular seasons in years
• He maintained his academics while being scouted by NHL teams across the country
In an age of early specialization, where kids are encouraged to “pick a lane” before they even hit high school, West is something of a throwback.
He didn’t want to choose until he had to. And now that he has, he’s walking away from football on his terms.
What’s Next for the Blackhawks’ New Prospect?
West’s immediate future is in North Dakota with the Fargo Force, where he’ll face older, stronger players — a step up from high school but still one stop away from the pros.
Chicago’s front office sees him as a project worth developing. He’s got raw tools and a strong work ethic. But NHL readiness isn’t expected overnight.
He’ll likely spend one or two seasons in juniors, then possibly move to college or directly into the AHL. His timeline depends on how quickly he adjusts to the speed and physicality at the next level.
One thing’s clear: Edina will be watching.
