Abbott ready to give his all to Blackhawks' top line

Spencer Abbott has one NHL game on his resume, that coming in the third contest of the 2013-14 regular season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Other than that, the 28-year-old forward has been a career AHLer who also spent one season in Sweden.

Abbott, whom the Hawks called up Tuesday from Rockford, will finally get another opportunity to prove his worth at the highest level when he starts Thursday against Buffalo skating with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.

"I had my doubts for sure, but there's nothing I can do about that," Abbott said of whether he thought this day would come. "Wherever I am, (I) play as good as I can and see what happens."

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Abbott is from Hamilton, Ontario. He played four years at the University of Maine and has logged 217 AHL games.

The Hawks acquired Abbott in a trade with Toronto in 2015, and he played 19 games for the IceHogs before spending last season in Sweden.

Why make that move?

"Tough question. It kind of had just gotten stale for me in the American League," said Abbott, who re-signed with the Hawks on July 1. "I took an opportunity to go overseas and heard lots of good things about Sweden and decided that was maybe the best move for me.

"I learned a lot over there. They play pretty fast and defensive hockey, which is stuff I always need to work on. I think if anything it helped me."

Abbott, who leads Rockford with 8 goals and 13 assists in 30 games, isn't being eased into the lineup. Coach Joel Quenneville has stuck him on the team's top line hoping the career minor leaguer will take advantage of the opportunity.

"Certainly he has skill and can make plays," Quenneville said. "And playing with top guys maybe you've got a chance to complement his type of player or role."

Said Abbott: "Maybe it's a little bit nerve-racking. They're obviously both very, very high-end guys. It's a privilege to be out there on the same line as them. I'll do what I can to keep up."