Fortin makes big impression at Chicago Blackhawks Prospects Camp

Of all the young hockey players who participated in the Chicago Blackhawks' Prospects Camp at Johnny's IceHouse West last week, few stood out more than 19-year-old Alexandre Fortin.

The 6-foot, 180-pound Quebec native, who went undrafted in June, showed off some serious speed and impressed during each one of the four scrimmages.

"Lot of the guys upstairs are talking about him," said Rockford IceHogs coach Ted Dent. "He had a good week, made a good impression."

General manager Stan Bowman said he was close to taking Fortin in the draft and would be open to signing him if Fortin impresses at the team's rookie camp. If the Hawks did decide to sign Fortin, he would either have to make the NHL roster out of camp or be reassigned to his junior team.

If the offer came, Fortin said he would definitely sign.

"I talked with a lot of the (coaches) here," he said. "They were happy with what I did out there. We'll see what's next."

Other off-the-radar players who impressed were forwards Dylan Sikura and Anthony Louis.

The Hawks took Sikura in the sixth round in 2014. He racked up 64 points (17 goals) to finish second in the Ontario Junior Hockey League during the 2013-14 season and played at Northeastern the last two years.

Louis, a Winfield native, was a sixth-round pick in 2013. He has 32 goals in three seasons at Miami (Ohio) University.

Streaking:

Patrick Kane and Eddie Olczyk talked to fans about their historic point streaks during the Blackhawks fan convention Saturday.

Kane's streak of 26 games last season with a goal or an assist set the standard by an American-born player, eclipsing Olczyk's 18-game run during the 1989-90 season when he was with Toronto. Olczyk had shared the record with Phil Kessel (Boston Bruins, 2008-09).

"I couldn't have been more thrilled … that I was able to call Kaner getting that goal against (Kings goalie) Jonathan Quick," Olczyk said of the game when Kane extended his streak to 19 games. "I was very proud to be there that night in Los Angeles when Kaner was able to do that."

Kane credited linemates Artemi Panarin and Artem Anisimov, as well as coach Joel Quenneville, for putting him in position to pull off such an amazing feat.

"In the 27th game, Q played me like 25 or 26 minutes against Colorado," Kane said. "I had nothing going on that night. I was done. It was a good run, and 26 was a good number for me."

One of the funniest moments of the hourlong exchange came after Kane's highlight video ended and Olczyk's was being cued up.

Moderator Pat Foley proceeded to deadpan: "This will be in black and white."

Switching sides:

Alex DeBrincat, whom the Hawks took in the second round of the NHL draft this year, grew up a Detroit Red Wings fan … as did his parents.

DeBrincat said his allegiance to the Wings was gone the second he was drafted.

As for his parents?

"They're working on it," he said. "I think it was pretty easy for them, too, but I think my dad might have a little bit of trouble with it."