The Calder Cup Playoffs are going to begin on Wednesday night for the Rockford IceHogs. They will skate against one of their biggest rivals, the Chicago Wolves.
When the puck drops for Game One at the Allstate Arena, a good number of Chicago Blackhawks prospects will be working on their game while also trying to win in the AHL’s playoff tournament.
The AHL is the NHL’s top developmental league, which means that these players will be going up against stiff competition. There is a lot to learn in a league like this, especially when the stakes are high.
Not every one of these prospects is a guarantee to play in every game, but they should all see some time throughout. These are the 11 players that the Blackhawks will have the most interest in seeing how they do:
AJ Spellacy
On Wednesday, another reinforcement was given to the Rockford IceHogs in the form of AJ Spellacy. Spellacy just finished his third season with the Windsor Spitfires after being drafted by the Blackhawks in the third round (72nd overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Spellacy dealt with an injury while with Windsor during the OHL Playoffs, but he still managed to have three points in five games. Now, he is ready to try and make an impact in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Aidan Thompson
After Aidan Thompson’s season came to an end at the University of Denver, the Blackhawks made sure to get him signed up right away. His breakout season as the captain of Denver included 21 goals and 34 assists for 55 points in 44 games.
Samuel Savoie
Sam Savoie is a depth forward who provides leadership and grit. Chicago selected Savoie in the third round (81st overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft.
In 72 games for Rockford, he scored 7 goals and 15 assists for 22 points. He plays a game that should translate to the playoffs, where the ice gets smaller and things get more physical.
Gavin Hayes
Gavin Hayes, a former third-round pick (66th overall), is a young forward looking to take a step offensively in the coming years. He only had 5 goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 50 Rockford games this year, so he’d like to get going in the playoffs. For being a rookie, he has handled himself well, but he knows that there is another level that he can get to. An experience like this is good for him.
Marek Vanacker
The Blackhawks added Marek Vanacker to Rockford earlier this week. Like Spellacy, Vanacker was just eliminated from the OHL playoffs as a member of the Brantford Bulldogs. He was just heating up as the postseason went along, so jumping right into the Calder Cup Playoffs is perfect for him.
Kevin Korchinski
Kevin Korchinski was the AHL All-Star Game MVP, so his experience in this league is there. He has also played a ton of games in the NHL for being so young.
Korchinski was allowed to develop in the AHL for most of this season. However, he did get 16 NHL games where he had one goal and one assist. The offense will come in the NHL for him, but being reliable defensively is taking some time for him. That is normal for a young offensive defenseman.
Of every blue-liner on the team, he has the potential to change a series the most offensively. The Blackhawks have high hopes for Korchinski so he will be heavily watched as long as Rockford stays in it.
Ethan Del Mastro
Ethan Del Mastro played a fair number of games with the Chicago Blackhawks and proved he can be a valuable part of an NHL team’s defense. With a little more development, he could be a great shutdown guy on a good team.
Artyom Levshunov
Artyom Levshunov, after spending the first three quarters of the season in Rockford, finished the year with the Blackhawks. Once Chicago’s season in the NHL ended, they sent him back to the IceHogs for a Calder Cup run.
Of every player on the roster, the 2024 second overall pick could make the most noise with his skills. This is Levshunov’s first chance at playing under the bright lights on a professional level, which should be great for his development.
Nolan Allan
Nolan Allan had games where he was Chicago’s best defensive defenseman. Seeing the impact he makes during the Calder Cup Playoffs could be a glimpse into his future as a pro defenseman.
Taige Harding
The Chicago Blackhawks signed Taige Harding right when his great season at Providence College ended. He is a defenseman that they selected in the third round (91st overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft.
In 37 games with Providence, Harding had 2 goals and 12 assists for 14 points. That’s not a bad total for a guy focused on playing well in his own end. In 3 games to end Rockford’s regular season, Harding had three assists. We’ll see how his game translates to the playoffs, where things get harder. He seems to be built for this.
Drew Commesso
The Chicago Blackhawks know that Spencer Knight is the goalie of their future. Arvid Soderblom has the inside track to be the backup for a while based on his 2024-25 season. If Drew Commesso wants to have a role in the NHL, he needs to keep playing well in the AHL.
It starts for him in this series with the IceHogs against the Wolves. Being a second-round pick (46th overall) in 2020, he has the pedigree to be a good goaltender at the NHL level.
Commesso made his NHL debut in 2024-25, but it only lasted for one start and one relief appearance. Playing well in the Calder Cup Playoffs this spring could get him an NHL look again next year.
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