Thrill of a lifetime for Hartman
It was a call Ryan Hartman waited much of his life to get, and when it came Thursday night he was equal parts surprised and thrilled.
Hartman, a 20-year old rookie forward from West Dundee, was recalled by the Blackhawks from the Rockford IceHogs along with 28-year old defenseman Kyle Cumiskey and both played against the New Jersey Devils at United Center on Friday.
What was Hartman doing when the phone rang?
“Just sitting in bed, chilling, and I got the call,” he said Friday, after the morning skate. “I didn't have any words. Kind of speechless. It's good to be here.”
Prospects don't often get drafted by the team they grew up rooting for, let alone make their NHL debut in the same arena they attended games as fans. Hartman, who played for the Chicago Mission AAA team from 2007-10, got to experience each of those rarities.
“I grew up a Hawks fan, grew up watching the Hawks,” said Hartman, who is playing his first full season of professional hockey. “Being a part of the organization and wearing the jersey is pretty cool, pretty special for me and my family.”
Hartman said many friends and family members contacted him and there were a lot of ticket requests. He had quite a few familiar faces rooting for him in the stands, where he used to sit as a fan not too long ago.
Did he have any former Blackhawks who stood out as favorites?
“I kind of watched them all,” Hartman said. “My dad and I watched Tony Amonte and guys like that. My dad and his family have been Hawks fans their whole lives, so it's definitely a dream come true.”
Hartman, who was slotted into the right wing spot on the fourth line, finished his junior career last year before debuting with the IceHogs at the end of the season. This season, he started in Rockford and had 8 goals with 10 assists in 47 games.
He plays a physical game — as was clearly evident seconds into his first shift when he leveled Dainius Zubrus — he buzzes the net and enjoys annoying opposing teams as a relentless pest, similar to center Andrew Shaw.
“It's just the way I am,” the 5-foot-11, 191-pound Hartman said. “It's part of my blood. That's how I've always played, so I'll try to do that tonight, too.”
Mission accomplished, for sure.
Smith gets message:
Ryan Hartman's presence in the lineup meant forward Ben Smith would be a healthy scratch against the Devils, the first time he hasn't played this season. Smith has no points in 19 straight games and just 1, an assist, in the previous 22 games.
“I'm not happy about it, obviously,” Smith said of sitting. “That's what happens when you're not playing to your potential and capabilities. This is definitely a time where you try to turn it up even more, find more mentally, physically and just overcome it.”
Cumiskey gets a look:
After playing the past two seasons for MODO in the Swedish Hockey League, 28-year old Kyle Cumiskey returned to the NHL as part of the Blackhawks' third defense pairing Friday night.
Cumiskey's stay might be brief, depending on how long Michal Rozsival is out with an upper-body injury, but he's just happy to get a chance to prove himself again. Cumiskey played parts of five seasons with the Colorado Avalanche before heading to Europe in 2012-13.
“It's tough when you make it (to the NHL) and you regress,” said Cumiskey, who had 11:27 of ice time Friday. “I kind of bided my time and it's very exciting to get an opportunity here.”
JRW in the house:
Team members of the Jackie Robinson West baseball team attended the game Friday as guests of the Blackhawks, who'd arranged for the visit months ago. The team was shown on the scoreboard toward the end of the first period and drew a round of applause.
“We are excited to have these young athletes as our guests tonight,” a Blackhawks spokesman said in a statement.