IceHogs Making Impressions at Blackhawks Training Camp

2022-23 NHL Training Camp is Officially Open

For the Chicago Blackhawks this year, training camp has a much different feel to it. The 2022-23 season is the first full campaign with General Manager Kyle Davidson leading his team through a rebuild. He faced a lot of difficult decisions during the offseason that saw Alex DeBrincat (Senators) and Kirby Dach (Canadiens) being traded. They also lost Dominik Kubalík (Red Wings), Dylan Strome (Capitals), Kevin Lankinen (Predators), and Collin Delia (Canucks) to free agency. And that’s just naming a few.

Not to mention the big storm cloud hanging over the heads of management, players, and fans: Will Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane finish the 2022-23 season in Chicago?

If there was ever a year for the Blackhawks prospects to hit the ice in training camp and give it their all, it’s this year. There are question marks all over the lineup. Not many roster spots are locked in. There is plenty of room for movement and for a couple of kids to surprise everyone and make it impossible for Davidson to send them down to the Rockford IceHogs.

That said, the new Chicago Blackhawks regime has made the commitment to actually using the IceHogs as a place to develop their prospects until they are ready to make the jump to the NHL – and stay there.

What A Concept!

So, while it may be a tough season for Blackhawks fans who choose to watch their team on TV night after night, it’s going to be a very exciting season for the Rockford IceHogs. The kids will be honing their skills and playing their tails off to prove they deserve to be in the NHL and to be part of the new core that will turn the Blackhawks around.

Here’s a list of the players on the Blackhawks Training Camp roster who played with the IceHogs in 2021-22, the players who have AHL contracts with Rockford, and the players who were recently signed to AHL deals (along with last season’s stats for returning players).

Returning 2021-22 Rockford IceHogs Players

• Evan Barratt (23 years old, C/LW) – 2017 3rd round pick of the Blackhawks, entering third season with IceHogs
  • 2021-22: 63GP, 14G +14A = 28P; 5GP, 1G in playoffs
• Colton Dach (19 years old, C/LW) – 2021 2nd round pick of the Blackhawks, didn’t play a game with the IceHogs, but joined them for the playoffs after his WHL season
• MacKenzie Entwistle (23 years old, C/RW) – 2017 3rd round pick of the Coyotes, spent most of the season with the Blackhawks
  • 21-22 (AHL): 2GP, 1A
  • 21-22 (NHL): 55GP, 5G + 7A =12P
• Mike Hardman (23 years old, Forward, Undrafted) – Signed as a college free agent at the end of 20-21 season
  • 21-22 (AHL): 43GP, 19G + 13A = 32P
  • 21-22 (NHL): 21GP, 2A
• Reese Johnson (24 years old, Forward, Undrafted) – Entering his fourth full season in the organization, missed a lot of last year with a broken collarbone
  • 21-22 (AHL): 7GP, 1G + 2A = 3P
  • 21-22 (NHL): 37GP 1G + 5A = 6P
• Philipp Kurashev (22 years old, Forward) – 2018 4th round pick of the Hawks, spent most of the season in NHL
  • 21-22 (AHL): 3GP, 2G + 1A = 3P
  • 21-22 (NHL): 67GP, 6G + 15A = 21P
• Jakub Pour (23 years old, RW, Undrafted) – Entering second season with the IceHogs
  • 21-22: 44GP, 6G + 2A = 8P
• Lukas Reichel (20 years old, Forward) – 2020 1st round pick of the Hawks, entering second season with the organization
  • 21-22 (AHL): 56GP, 21G + 36A = 57P
  • 21-22 (NHL): 11GP, 1A
• Josiah Slavin (23 years old, Left Wing) – 2018 7th round pick of the Hawks, entering second full season with the organization; joined after college in 20-21
  • 21-22 (AHL): 49GP, 18G + 14A = 32P
  • 21-22 (NHL): 15GP, 1A
• Michal Teplý (21 years old, Forward) – 2019 4th round pick of the Hawks, entering third season with the IceHogs
  • 21-22: 60GP, 13G + 18A = 31P
• Nicolas Beaudin (22 years old, Defenseman) – 2018 1st round pick of the Hawks, entering fourth season with the organization
  • 21-22 (AHL): 66GP, 2G + 14A = 16P
  • 21-22 (NHL): 2GP, 0P
• Nolan Allan (19 years old, Defenseman) – 2021 first round pick of the Hawks, didn’t play a game with the Hogs but joined them for the playoffs after his WHL season
• Louis Crevier (21 years old, Defenseman) – 2020 7th round pick of the Hawks, didn’t play with the IceHogs last season but joined them for the playoffs after his QMJHL season
• Jakub Galvas (23 years old, Defenseman) – 2017 5th round pick of the Hawks, entering his second season with the organization
  • 21-22 (AHL): 59GP, 2G + 18A = 20P
  • 21-22 (NHL): 6GP, 0P
• Ian Mitchell (23 years old, Defenseman) – 2017 2nd round pick of the Hawks, entering 3rd full season in the organization
  • 21-22 (AHL): 57GP, 11G + 24A = 35P
  • 21-22 (NHL): 8GP, 1A
• Isaak Phillips (20 years old, Defenseman) – 2020 5th round pick of the Hawks, entering third full season in the organization
  • 21-22 (AHL): 64GP, 10G + 15A = 25P
  • 21-22 (NHL): 4GP, 0P
• Alec Regula (22 years old, Defenseman) – 2018 3rd round pick of the Red Wings, entering his third full season with the organization
  • 21-22 (AHL): 41GP, 4G + 22A = 26P
  • 21-22 (NHL): 15GP, 1G
• Arvid Söderblom (23 years old, Goaltender, Undrafted) –  Entering second season with the organization
  • 21-22 (AHL): 38GP, 2.76 GAA, .919 SV%
  • 21-22 (NHL): 3GP, 5.01 GAA, .863 SV%

Players on AHL Contracts

Returning 2021-22 IceHogs

• D.J. Busdeker (22 years old, RW, Undrafted) – Entering his third season with the IceHogs
  • 21-22: 62 GP 6G 20A 26P
• Carson Gicewicz (25 yers old, C, Undrafted) – Entering his second full season with the IceHogs
  • 21-22: 61GP, 5G + 9A = 14P
• Kale Howarth (25 years old, LW/C) – 2017 5th round pick of the Blue Jackets, entering second season with the IceHogs; spent time in the AHL and ECHL last season
  • 21-22: 12GP, 2G + 1A = 3P
• Riley McKay (23 years old, LW, Undrafted) – Entering third season with the IceHogs, spent time in the AHL and ECHL last season
  • 21-22: 4 GP, 0P
• Garrett Mitchell “C” (31 years old, C/RW) – 2009 6th round pick of the Capitals, entering third full season with the IceHogs and third season as team captain
  • 21-22: 67GP, 6G + 9A = 15P
• Cliff Watson (28 years old, D) – 2012 6th round pick of the Sharks, entering third season with the IceHogs, spent time in the AHL and ECHL last season
  • 21-22: 20GP, 4A

Recently Signed IceHogs

• Morgan Adams-Moisan – 25 years old, RW
• David Gust – 28 years old, RW
• Bobby Lynch – 24 years old, RW/C
• Seamus Malone – 26 years old, C
• Adam Clendening – 29 years old, D
• Andrew Perrott – 21 years old, D
• Mitchell Weeks – 21 years old, G
• Dylan Wells – 24 years old, G

So, Who Is Likely To See NHL Action?

Forwards

Lukas Reichel

I’m sorry, Blackhawks fans, but I just don’t see Lukas Reichel getting the full season in the NHL. This is especially true with the new commitment to developing prospects instead of rushing them. In 11 NHL games last season, Reichel only registered one assist. Barring a major jump in his game, I don’t think he’s ready quite yet.

That said, he isn’t far. He was far and away the best offensive player for the IceHogs last season, breaking some rookie records along the way. If anything (aside from losing) is a guarantee for the 2022-23 Chicago Blackhawks season, it’s that Reichel will see some games with the big club. How many? That’s likely up to him and what he shows Kyle Davidson and head coach Luke Richardson. But, he will get his chances — and hopefully continue dominating the AHL in between them.

Josiah Slavin

Even with seeing limited action with the Blackhawks last year, Josiah Slavin was one of the best IceHogs night in and night out. He’s not going to set the world on fire and wow you with incredibly skilled plays. But, he will get to work and give his team 100% on every shift. He’s also a great penalty killer. That sounds like breath of fresh air for the Blackhawks, does it not?

Evan Barratt

Evan Barratt is in the position of the Blackhawks needing to see what they have in him at the NHL level. He’s 23 years old and entering his third season with the team. He also has one year left on his deal before becoming an RFA. If not now, when?

MacKenzie Entwistle, Reese Johnson, Mike Hardman, and Philipp Kurashev

All of these guys have already spent significant time with the Blackhawks. Some of them (Entwistle and Kurashev) seem to have a permanent spot locked up. Of course, anything can happen. But these four guys seem like no-brainers to see some, if not all, of the season with the Blackhawks.

Hot take: Michal Teplý

Michal Teplý is entering his third season with the IceHogs and has yet to get a cup of coffee in the NHL. As a fourth-round draft pick who still has plenty of time to develop, it’s likely the Blackhawks want to see where he ranks up against NHL competition. I wouldn’t necessarily bet on Teplý getting a game or two. But, with the way his game progressed last season, I would recommend it. You know, for science.

Defensemen

Alec Regula

Regula has 18 NHL games under his belt at the young age of 22. Every time he gets another stint with the big club, he looks more and more comfortable. The coaches also seem very happy with his development. Much like Evan Barratt, Regula only has one year left on his current deal. The Blackhawks will want to know exactly where he’s at before deciding on their next move with him. Expect him to get a few looks with the Blackhawks this year.

Isaak Phillips

Well, well, well…my favorite prospect hits this list?! SURPRISE! But hear me out, Phillips is only 20 years old and already the best defenseman the IceHogs have. When he saw four games of NHL action last year, he didn’t look out of place. Am I saying he’s ready for a full-time job with the Blackhawks? No. Am I saying he should get more than four games this year to see how he handles it? Yes. Isaak Phillips is the real deal. Let him show what he can do.

Ian Mitchell

Ian Mitchell spent the majority of his first professional season with the Blackhawks before being sent down near the end of the season. In his second year, he spent all but eight games with the IceHogs. What gives? Well, Mitchell started really strong in Chicago. He showed he could handle the NHL and be effective on the back end. As the season went on, he became less reliable and more rookie mistakes started showing in his play. Hence the demotion to the AHL.

Last season, his position in the organization was up in the air. Would he start in Chicago? Rockford? The answer was Rockford. That surely could have been a disappointment and led to him having a poor season with his confidence shattered. Instead, Mitchell built on every single game. He worked on the little things. He focused on his defensive game while not totally sacrificing offense. The result? Ian Mitchell and Isaak Phillips becoming the number one defensive unit for the IceHogs, leaving no doubt about that in anyone’s mind.

Unfortunately for Ian, he’s going to miss a few weeks of training camp — and possibly the season — with a wrist injury. You could call this a make-or-break season for Ian Mitchell. So, I’d bet on seeing him get in some NHL action this year.

Jakub Galvas

Ah, the fan favorite! And another kid with one year left on his deal. Maybe it was his calm style of play. Maybe it was the fact that he just plays defense and doesn’t try to do too much. Whatever it was, Blackhawks fans absolutely loved this kid when they saw him for…checks notes…six whole NHL games!

Jokes aside, the characteristics I mentioned above are exactly what Galvas brings. He’s a defensive-minded defenseman, and he doesn’t get scared when the opponent has pressure in his defensive end. Galvas looks like the type of player who can keep progressing and become a very nice depth defender in the NHL. Maybe that’ll be his job this year.

Goalies

Arvid Söderblom

Söderblom’s situation may be the most interesting of the bunch. I know Blackhawks fans are more interested in the guys who could produce flashy plays (Lukas Reichel) or be the next shutdown defenseman (Jakub Galvas), but the current goaltending tandem in Chicago consists of Petr Mrázek and Alex Stalock. And that’s it. There’s no one behind those two guys except Arvid Söderblom.

If 2022-23 is anything like the past two seasons when it comes to goaltending, each team should be prepared to use AT LEAST three goaltenders. Barring another goaltending acquisition, Söderblom could see significant NHL time this year. But then, how does that fit into Davidson’s plan of only using the prospects when they’re ready? What if Söderblom gets called up and he isn’t ready for the NHL yet? He’s only 23. That wouldn’t be super controversial. Do they throw him into the fire and play him anyway? Right now, it looks like they would have to.

If it were up to me, the Blackhawks would pick up a third goaltender to permanently have with the team. We’ll see what happens. All I know is losing Söderblom for any significant amount of time would put the IceHogs in a rough spot.

Conclusion

In the end, no matter who plays where, it’s an important season for the Rockford IceHogs. The Blackhawks badly need to see their prospects progress over the course of the season. If it’s anything like last year, they will do exactly that. And maybe they’ll even beat the Chicago Wolves 8-0 along the way.

You didn’t think I forgot, did you?

The first Blackhawks preseason game is Tuesday, September 27 against the St. Louis Blues. The puck drops at 7:30pm CST. Tune in to see some of these kids in action.