The 18-year-old defenseman was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks with the No. 7 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, which brings with it pressure enough, but that selection was part of the return the Blackhawks acquired when they traded forward Alex DeBrincat, who scored 41 goals last season, to the Ottawa Senators on July 7.
"Obviously, a little bit more pressure but for me. I'm just kind of worrying about myself, improving every day," Korchinski said at Chicago's development camp on July 11. "I know what kind of hockey player I am, I'm confident in my ability. So for me, it's winning each day and getting to the level I want to be at."
Korchinski (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) is coming off a strong season with Seattle of the Western Hockey League, where he had 65 points (four goals, 61 assists) in 67 regular-season games and 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in 25 playoff games, helping Seattle advance to the WHL Final before losing to Edmonton in six games.
"He had a great camp here," said Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson, who was hired on June 27. "He's a guy who can move the puck, have a good gap, good sticks.
"Not to compare him or anything, but [former Blackhawks defenseman] Duncan Keith, if he can emulate his game to that level, if he has a chance to look at some footage of him, that'll be real helpful, because he's going to be a guy who moves the puck, can add to the offense, but he's such a good skater and mobility and a good stick."
Korchinski has said he has modeled his game after Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore, who, like Korchinski, played for Seattle of the WHL.
"Obviously, the offensive aspect is big for me," Korchinski said. "He played on the Thunderbirds, so 'OD' [Matt O'Dette] our coach in Seattle, he got to coach him. So it's just getting similarities from him. Things that Shea had to work on at my age are things I'm working on now, so it's just really similar. For me, I want to progress my defensive game, kind of get to where he is, one of the best two-way defensemen in the League."
Korchinski is confident he can get to that level, and Chicago is as well.
"Kevin's game, in particular, what I've noticed is just how well he moves around the ice," Blackhawks assistant general manager, director of player development Mark Eaton said. "He's a pretty big kid. Looking at him off the ice and seeing the upside of how much he can fill out and continue to get stronger and grow into his frame is exciting.
"But the way he already skates and handles the puck and head up all the time, surveys the surface of the ice, can make plays and the overall quickness and how he thinks the game, it's been exciting to watch."
