One of the biggest storylines going into Chicago Blackhawks training camp is that of prospect Frank Nazar.
The Blackhawks selected Nazar with the 13th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, the one the organization acquired in the Kirby Dach trade.
Now two years later, Nazar has a chance to make the Blackhawks’ opening night roster and he is determined to achieve that goal.
“If I’m going to be part of that group, I’ve got to work and I’ve got to earn that spot anyway,” Nazar said via NHL.com.
The 20-year-old has spent the past two years at the University of Michigan and this past season, he recorded 17 goals, 24 assists and 41 points.
Nazar also had a brief three-game stint with the Blackhawks last season and he scored one goal through this short time period.
He was pretty confident with his level of play in the NHL and still feels he has a lot more to prove going into training camp.
“I think I did well,” Nazar said. “I don’t think I just ‘held my own’ when I played those three games. So, obviously I’ve got something to work for. But I’m excited to see what goes on after camp.”
While all signs point towards Nazar making the team, he has an uphill battle ahead of him. This summer, the Blackhawks went out and signed Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, Pat Maroon, Craig Smith, so there is a lot more competition amongst the forward group than originally anticipated.
Still though, Nazar is trying to give every reason for the Blackhawks to keep him around and so far through rookie camp, he’s been doing a pretty good job.
“I thought he looked really good with some of his habits and some of the things that’ll be really important for him to show in camp to Luke and his staff to make this team,” Rockford IceHogs’ coach Anders Sorensen said. “But some of the habits we noticed today were really encouraging to see.”
The Blackhawks are still rebuilding, but some of the pieces are starting to come together and Nazar is just one piece of the puzzle.
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