Nolan Allan is set for his NHL debut in the first game of the 2024-25 season with the Chicago Blackhawks against the Utah HC.
This will be the first regular season game for Utah HC in the NHL as well as the first regular season game played in Utah. Allan will be the first player to make his NHL debut in Utah as neither team is carrying anyone else without a game in the NHL already.
As Allan described, “It’s a dream come true. I’ve been working for this moment my whole life and it’s going to be really exciting and really surreal I think.” The 21-year-old was drafted 32nd overall in 2021, signing his entry-level deal not long after that.
After a two-year entry-level slide, Allan still has two years left on that deal. He graduated from the WHL to the AHL and put on a show for the Rockford IceHogs as a rookie. He was on the top pairing and while he had a solid season, he saw many teammates get the call to the NHL, even if only for a couple of games.
That didn’t deter Allan as he made the opening night roster for the Blackhawks over many of those other prospects who got a chance before him.
Allan said that, “I just came into camp trying to be the best version of myself. I knew there was probably a high chance I would go back to Rockford, but I didn’t take it as that was the final answer. I think I just tried to be myself and tried to get better each day.” Given he didn’t get a look in the NHL last season, this probably led to the expectation for training camp, but nothing is set in stone. He earned his spot.
He is going to be only one of two players in the opening night lineup for the Blackhawks who are still on their entry-level contracts. The other being Connor Bedard who skipped right over the AHL.
While Allan is going to be the only one going out for a rookie lap, he is on a level playing field with the rest of his team not having played in Utah before. “I guess we’re all going in with the same experience in Utah, so it’s going to be super cool and I’m super excited about it.”
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The Blackhawks want to get started off on the right foot. They lost the first five pre-season games before winning their final one. Utah is in their division and there will be no easy games. Allan is going to be playing on the third pairing, likely alongside Connor Murphy who has experience playing with Blackhawks rookies.
If Allan can just do what he did in the AHL last season with smart and solid play, he will be just fine in the NHL and keep the spot he earned.
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