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The Chicago Blackhawks recalled defenseman Kevin Korchinski from the Rockford IceHogs on Thursday. He took part in an optional practice at Fifth Third Arena.
“It feels kind of like Rockford up here, all the guys that I played with down there,” said Korchinski, referring to former IceHogs teammates such as Wyatt Kaiser, Frank Nazar and Artyom Levshunov. “So it’s cool seeing a lot of familiar faces and guys that are your … own age and that you can do stuff off the ice with and kind of bond over.”
“It feels kind of like Rockford up here.”—Kevin Korchinski on having several former IceHogs teammates for his recall to the Chicago Blackhawks
— Phil Thompson (@philthompsontrib.bsky.social)2025-03-27T18:18:25.407Z
It’s the time of season when the rebuilding Hawks are turning to their prospect pipeline to give a few of them a look at the NHL level. Defenseman Alec Martinez hasn’t played since taking a hard hit from Jake Neighbours in St. Louis, and T.J. Brodie has been scratched for every game since March 1 in Anaheim.
Korchinski produced three goals (including two game-winners) and 24 assists in 54 games for the IceHogs. He also had a minus-17 rating.
“I learned a lot, played both ends of the puck, playing a lot of minutes, so it’s been good and (I was) playing well,” he said of his time in Rockford. “It’s been a good experience.”
He produced a goal and five assists in his last nine games with the IceHogs.
“Just playing my style of hockey, trying to be confident, go out there and make plays and play both ends of the ice,” Korchinski said.
The 20-year-old was called up to the Hawks for nine games in December and had no points.
“His game took some steps in the right direction, his habits got a lot better,” Hawks interim coach Anders Sorensen said in December. “Those are the biggest things for him.
“We want him to play with creativity, we want him to be on the rush, and then it’s just a matter of some of those habits defensively and he’s been a lot better there.”
Sorensen confirmed Thursday that Korchinski will draw into the lineup for Friday’s home game against the Vegas Golden Knights. He added that Korchinski’s defense has evolved.
“He’s quieter, holds his position better, knows when to go, knows when to hold,” Sorensen said. “And I think offensively too. His awareness of when there’s a play to be made here or when I have to just live to fight another day and put a puck in an area.
“Playing a lot of minutes down there has helped in those situations, because you have to manage your minutes, so to speak, so that’s been a real positive development area for him.”
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“It feels kind of like Rockford up here, all the guys that I played with down there,” said Korchinski, referring to former IceHogs teammates such as Wyatt Kaiser, Frank Nazar and Artyom Levshunov. “So it’s cool seeing a lot of familiar faces and guys that are your … own age and that you can do stuff off the ice with and kind of bond over.”
“It feels kind of like Rockford up here.”—Kevin Korchinski on having several former IceHogs teammates for his recall to the Chicago Blackhawks
— Phil Thompson (@philthompsontrib.bsky.social)2025-03-27T18:18:25.407Z
It’s the time of season when the rebuilding Hawks are turning to their prospect pipeline to give a few of them a look at the NHL level. Defenseman Alec Martinez hasn’t played since taking a hard hit from Jake Neighbours in St. Louis, and T.J. Brodie has been scratched for every game since March 1 in Anaheim.
Korchinski produced three goals (including two game-winners) and 24 assists in 54 games for the IceHogs. He also had a minus-17 rating.
“I learned a lot, played both ends of the puck, playing a lot of minutes, so it’s been good and (I was) playing well,” he said of his time in Rockford. “It’s been a good experience.”
He produced a goal and five assists in his last nine games with the IceHogs.
“Just playing my style of hockey, trying to be confident, go out there and make plays and play both ends of the ice,” Korchinski said.
The 20-year-old was called up to the Hawks for nine games in December and had no points.
“His game took some steps in the right direction, his habits got a lot better,” Hawks interim coach Anders Sorensen said in December. “Those are the biggest things for him.
“We want him to play with creativity, we want him to be on the rush, and then it’s just a matter of some of those habits defensively and he’s been a lot better there.”
Sorensen confirmed Thursday that Korchinski will draw into the lineup for Friday’s home game against the Vegas Golden Knights. He added that Korchinski’s defense has evolved.
“He’s quieter, holds his position better, knows when to go, knows when to hold,” Sorensen said. “And I think offensively too. His awareness of when there’s a play to be made here or when I have to just live to fight another day and put a puck in an area.
“Playing a lot of minutes down there has helped in those situations, because you have to manage your minutes, so to speak, so that’s been a real positive development area for him.”
Continue reading...
