Prospect camp: Commesso, other young Blackhawks look forward to 'tuneup' in St. Paul
The Blackhawks are on a journey.
A long, long journey back to respectability that figures to take at least two more years.
The process will take another baby step forward this weekend when about two dozen prospects head to St. Paul, Minnesota, to take part in the Tom Kurvers Prospect Camp. The Hawks will play the St. Louis Blues at 6 p.m. Saturday and the Minnesota Wild at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Some players - like No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard - will see time in the NHL this season. But most will cut their teeth in the AHL, in college or back with their junior teams.
Bedard was in Henderson, Nevada at the NHL's media tour, so he missed Wednesday's practice at Fifth Third Arena. The budding superstar will be in attendance Thursday, however, and is expected to play against the Blues and Wild.
With training camp fast approaching, this is an important weekend for hopefuls like goalie Drew Commesso, forward Colton Dach, and defensemen Nolan Allan, Wyatt Kaiser and Kevin Korchinski.
"Some of the (veterans) have been around; they know what (training camp is) all about," said Anders Sorensen, head coach of the Rockford IceHogs. "Some of these younger guys are coming in (and) just to understand that, hey, when camp starts you have to be ready to go.
"This is a really good tuneup for them."
Dach, who dealt with a concussion and a shoulder injury in 2022-23, will start the season in Rockford. Kaiser played in nine games with the Hawks at the end of last season and could see a significant amount of time in the NHL if he shows he's ready.
Commesso, a second-round pick in 2020, spent the last three seasons at Boston University. The 21-year-old is "super thrilled" the season is fast approaching and looks forward to strengthening an already-strong bond with his teammates.
"Yeah, it's gonna be great," said Commesso, who will likely backstop the IceHogs for most of this campaign. "I'm looking forward to playing with all these guys and really just focusing on the room in here. To be honest, I don't really care who we play or the guys in the other locker room.
"It's all about us and becoming better as prospects and making the Blackhawks look good."
Coming soon:
The NHL season is fast approaching. Here are some dates in the five weeks:
• Sept. 19: Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson meets the media at Fifth Third Arena. What is he looking forward to and is he optimistic about how the rebuild is progressing?
• Sept. 21: Training camp begins at Fifth Third Arena. How will Connor Bedard look against other pros and who will he skate with?
• Sept. 28: Preseason opener vs. St. Louis at the United Center.
• Oct. 10: Season opener at Pittsburgh. It should be an electric night, with Bedard facing childhood idol Sidney Crosby.
• Oct. 21: Home opener vs. Vegas. Will the Hawks give the defending champs a run for their money or crap out?