As Commesso bides time in Rockford, Hawks’ goalie prospect builds confidence

When Patrick Kane was traded to the New York Rangers in February 2023, some recent Blackhawks players missed a chance to play alongside the franchise great.

They’ll get the opportunity now after Kane re-signed with the team.

No one was more excited about the Kane news than Hawks fans — well, perhaps other than Drew Commesso and Ryan Greene.

“Ryan and I were talking about it, like how pumped we’d be (if Kane came back), and then as soon as I found out the news, I called him and we were both freaking out, kind of like kids on Christmas,” Commesso said. “He adds so much value to the team — I was super excited and I know all the other guys were too.”

While players young and old are gearing up for the upcoming season — training camp began Thursday at the Blackhawks Ice Center — the Hawks’ plan at goaltender is clear: Spencer Knight is No. 1 and Arvid Söderblom is the backup. Commesso, meanwhile, will spend another year with the Rockford IceHogs.

Commesso, who signed a two-year, $1.75 million contract July 6, might see some minimal preseason action, but coach Jeff Blashill will prioritize reps for Knight and Söderblom before the Sept. 29 season opener. The Hawks’ first preseason game is at 7 p.m. Saturday against the Wild in St. Paul, Minn.

But if a recall were to happen this season, Commesso believes he would be ready.

“I think at first, it probably was my first (NHL) game or two, (I) was just really happy to be there,” Commesso said. “I’m at the point now where I feel like that’s where I belong.”

The Hawks drafted Commesso with the No. 46 pick in the 2020 draft. In five NHL games over the last two seasons, he went 2-2-0 with a 2.61 goals-against-average and a .901 save percentage.

Commesso started in three games last season, including a back-to-back in January when a nasty bug sidelined several players — Knight and Söderblom included.

Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals made easy work of Commesso in a 5-1 rout Jan. 9 at the United Center. But the 24-year-old goalie redeemed himself the next night in Nashville, Tenn., recording his first career NHL shutout, 3-0 over the Predators.

“The biggest thing that I noticed right away was the size of the guys,” Commesso said. “There’s a lot more screens (and) it’s harder to find the puck when it’s in the zone. I’d say the game’s also more crisp, almost more predictable, where guys are always in the right spot making good plays. At first, it was (adjusting to) the speed, the size of guys and finding the puck (but) the more I play, the more comfortable I feel.”

Commesso’s next season in Rockford will give him ample starting opportunities. The Norwell, Mass., native made 114 regular-season appearances over the last three seasons with the IceHogs, going 49-51-10 with a 2.75 goals-against-average, .906 save percentage and seven shutouts. He went 5-5 in Calder Cup playoff games in 2024 and 2025 with a 2.42 GAA and .922 save percentage and one shutout.

Leading up to his fourth pro season, Commesso trained with NHL players such as Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy and San Jose Sharks center Will Smith and honed in on his diet, gaining 6 pounds.

Commesso called it his best offseason in terms of improvement.

“I felt there was another step physically that I could get to,” he said. “My mobility and my flexibility is great, but I felt that I could get a little bit stronger and tap into potential that I haven’t had yet.

“I spent a lot more time with my goalie coach doing one-on-one training than I had in the past. We had great communication … on what to work on and things that I can do to make my transition as smooth as possible and to be as ready as possible for the season.”

As he nears the upcoming season, it helps that he has a relationship with Söderblom and especially Knight.

“They’re both great guys, I think the goalie room is super tight,” Commesso said. “I stay in touch with Arvid here and there — it’s a little bit harder because of the time change — but I’m really close with Spencer.

“We talk pretty frequently, probably more than once a week, we’re good buddies off the ice. I’ve known Spencer for a little bit longer, too, so it’s awesome that it played out the way it did.”

Söderblom, 27, will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, and the Hawks haven’t given any indication as to whether they plan to keep the Göteborg, Sweden, native. That could open a door for Commesso.

“I’m excited to go and have a good camp,” Commesso said. “I without a doubt feel ready, but at the end of the day, I focus on what I can control, which is my preparation, my attitude and how I approach the rink every day.”