Chicago Blackhawks young forward already making an impact in his Rockford return

All eyes have been on the Rockford IceHogs as some key Chicago Blackhawks prospects are with the club right now for the AHL playoffs. The NHL season ended on a positive note in the organization with an overtime victory on the road against the Senators in the final game of the campaign. It was Frank Nazar who netted the game winner on an assist from Connor Bedard.

The depth in the Blackhawks’ organization was very prominent this past season, as plenty of NHL debuts were made throughout the year. This was a complete flip from the 2023-24 campaign when Chicago had a handful of AHL-level players getting consistent ice time on a nightly basis. Despite general manager Kyle Davidson going out and bringing a good amount of veterans in free agency last summer, young talent made it to the NHL level after all.

These young faces ended up taking away some of the roster spots occupied by the new acquisitions from the summer and it is giving fans hope for the future. This team still has a few things that they need to get right before they are fully ready to compete, but this is the closest they have been to that status in quite some time. One of the young forwards down with the Rockford IceHogs for the AHL playoffs made an immediate impact upon his return to the team last week.

Colton Dach made an immediate impact for the Rockford IceHogs

NHL: Seattle Kraken at Chicago Blackhawks Mar 18, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Colton Dach (28) and Seattle Kraken defenseman Ryker Evans (41) battle for control of the puck during the third period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

Colton Dach was good to go for the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs after missing some time over the past month and a half due to injury. The 21-year-old scored the game-winning goal in overtime in the first game of the series against the Milwaukee Admirals to give the IceHogs another series lead. Rockford has yet to lose a game in the Calder Cup playoffs, as they swept the Chicago Wolves in the opening round and currently hold a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-five set with the Admirals entering Wednesday night’s matchup at home.

Especially because of his injury, it is important for Dach to play in as many games with Rockford as possible in the playoffs this year. He is among a handful of forwards in the organization that could be a key contributor down the road as a bottom-six forward and any ice time that he can get back this year is crucial for his development.

It won’t be easy for Colton Dach to make the Chicago Blackhawks

NHL: Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood (44) watches as Chicago Blackhawks forward Colton Dach (28) reaches for a loose puck in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Dach made his NHL debut on January 3 and logged 25 games with the Blackhawks this past season. He had two goals and five assists while seemingly having a different role every other week. He got to play on the top line on occasion with Connor Bedard, while serving as a bottom-six guy toward the end of his stint prior to his injury.

It is known that this will not be an easy roster to make out of camp this year. All of the bottom-six forwards and fringe defensemen will be involved in intense positional battles, which is something that hasn’t happened in Chicago in a few years. Dach will be in the running to make the team, but he will need to stay healthy and earn his spot depending on who is brought in this offseason.