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Surprising van Riemsdyk turning some heads

When the Blackhawks signed defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk to a two-year deal in March following his junior season at the University of New Hampshire, the move didn't exactly send shock waves through the hockey world.

He was just another real solid young player added to an already deep organization.

But van Riemsdyk's play in prospect camp over the summer, then through training camp and the preseason has certainly turned some heads.

"I think in every camp there is always a surprise or two," said Hawks coach Joel Quenneville. "That's definitely one area where we're very pleased - I'm going to say surprised.

"I've never seen him play before. We like how he's played in the games. He was steady in Notre Dame and played two excellent games against NHL competition, but it's still early in measuring him and seeing where he could go. But we'll look a little bit longer because we like what we saw."

The younger brother of Toronto forward James van Riemsdyk certainly appreciates the kudos, but he knows his chances of leaving with the big club are slim considering the depth on defense.

"It's definitely good to hear the coaching staff and them to have confidence in you," the 23-year-old van Riemsdyk said. "I knew it'd be a tough thing to just coming here and play right away. That's still my goal - just keep to playing well.

"Just because a few rounds of cuts have gone by, it doesn't change anything. I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing. Hopefully, it leads to more success."

Never gets any easier:

The Blackhawks on Monday reduced their roster to 30 when they assigned forwards Joakim Nordstrom, Dennis Rasmussen and Garret Ross, defensemen Adam Clendening and Klas Dahlbeck and goaltender Scott Darling to the Rockford IceHogs.

Even though it wasn't the final cut, the process is still difficult for the players and coaches involved.

"They're always tough," Joel Quenneville said. "The players, they really listen to you and you know it's never a good situation. But certain guys receive it differently and have different views when they leave.

"We try to be as direct as we can. A lot of the situations we've felt guys we've talked to in camp were positive messages,

"A lot of guys enhanced their positions from last year to this year, and from the organization standpoint that's encouraging. But the players are very attentive and you understand their emotions and how it can really upset you."

Then there was one:

The fight to win the tough-guy spot on the roster - if that indeed is the route the Hawks choose to go - looks like it's been won by 6-foot-4, 212-pound winger Brandon Mashinter in a decision over Cody Bass and Pierre-Cedric Labrie.

"I think we're down to just one now," Joel Quenneville said. "I think Mashinter being in Rockford last year, we were a little bit more familiar.

"The other guys all did a good job and having some of that element in our organization is a healthy thing. I thought they all fared well. Mashinter's here now and we're looking forward to seeing how he does this week."

And if he continues to perform, will he have a roster spot?

"We'll see," Quenneville said.

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