The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot of faith in their farm system. Many people believe they have the top prospect depth of any organization in the NHL.
Some of these guys are in college, playing major junior, or are overseas playing professionally. Also, some are playing pro hockey in North America with the Rockford IceHogs.
Right now, it is hard not to be excited about this IceHogs team in the early stages of the 2024-25 season. After their first game of the season, a 4-1 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins, the optimism was certified.
Colton Dach opened the scoring for the Hogs in 2024-25 with his first of the year. Dach is one of the many young prospects that Chicago is hoping will contribute to their team in the coming years.
In the second period, Kevin Korchinski went coast-to-coast to find the back of the net. After spending his entire rookie year in the NHL, this was the first AHL goal of his career.
Korchinski is one of the top prospects in the organization right now after becoming the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. It wasn’t certain that he’d start the year in the AHL but it is good for his development. This winning environment will be great for him.
Even the depth of the organization is going to show up with the Rockford IceHogs this season. Cavan Fitzgerald scored a goal to give them a 3-0 lead following the Dach and Korchinski goals.
Samuel Savoie scored his first goal as a Rockford IceHog late in the second. The 4-1 score by the end of the game showed just how good this team can be when everything is going the right way for them. There is no denying the talent up and down the bench.
The goal scorers weren’t the only impressive players in the first game either. Frank Nazar, Landon Slaggert, and Gavin Hayes amongst others all collected their first points of the season. It was a true team win because not a single player earned more than one point.
Drew Commesso was a story of the game as well. He made 18 saves on 19 shots, earned the win, and even picked up an assist himself. Commesso will be as big of a part of the team’s success as anyone.
They are now off until Friday when they will host the Milwaukee Admirals. After what we’ve seen from this team already without 2024 second-overall pick Artyom Levshunov, there are exciting times ahead when they are healthier and more seasoned.
