Spellman: Another tough break for Hawks' van Riemsdyk

The Blackhawks on Wednesday released a statement you didn't want to see but knew was coming:

"Trevor van Riemsdyk suffered a left patella fracture after taking a shot to the left knee in Sunday's game against Dallas. He will undergo surgical repair of the fracture Thursday. We anticipate a full recovery in three to four months and look forward to his return."

In a word, bummer.

"Absolutely," Patrick Kane said. "I know he had a tough break last year (ankle injury while playing at the University of New Hampshire) and for him to come into camp and make the team and play as well as he has … I'm sure it's disappointing for him to know that he's going to be out."

"It's tough for Riems," goalie Corey Crawford added. "He was playing so well; it must be pretty frustrating for him."

Not only frustrating for the 23-year-old who was the surprise of training camp, but also for the Hawks, who kick off their circus road trip Thursday night in Calgary without a player who has been more than solid throughout the first quarter of the season.

"It hurts us, too," Kane admitted. "He's been playing great. He's one of those defensemen that when you're on the ice with him you know you have the capability of getting a good pass in a good area to make a good play.

"We'll miss him for sure."

The rookie defenseman had 1 assist in 18 games and averaged just less than 14 minutes of ice time.

"It's unfortunate; he got off to a real good start for us," coach Joel Quenneville said. "When he gets back, I think he can help us at that stage of the season. In the meantime, give somebody else an opportunity like Clendo."

That would be Adam Clendening, who was recalled from Rockford and will be in the mix along with Michal Rozsival and David Rundblad in the Hawks' final D pairing.

"He's got an opportunity here," Quenneville said of Clendening. "I know he's played well down there a couple years in the American League and he got a taste of what it's like to be a pro.

"Defensively, I think he's improved. He'll get a chance to play on the power play here for us a little. We're looking to see how he handles 5-on-5 as well."

Clendening, 22, has 109 points in 163 career games with the IceHogs. The 36th overall pick in the 2011 draft was named the 2013-14 IceHogs Co-Best Defenseman of the Year with Klas Dahlbeck and an AHL first-team all-star.

He also has been very patient waiting for a chance to finally joining the big club,

"Yeah, I guess," Clendening said. "I've just been working on my game, and these guys here, to their credit, have probably the best six around the league, so it's definitely been a little bit of a waiting game.

"But again, it's a bad bounce for a guy (van Riemsdyk) and hopefully I can just fill in and help them not miss a beat."

• Follow Mike's Hawks reports on Twitter @dhspellman.