The Blackhawks’ backup goalie spot could be one of the more interesting things to watch when training camp opens, and Drew Commesso has a real chance to make it a fight.
Commesso is the name to keep an eye on if Chicago wants competition behind the starter. The prospect has already given the Blackhawks a small but encouraging sample, and nothing about his brief NHL run says he should be dismissed from the conversation.
In three games with Chicago last season, the 2020 second-round pick went 2-1-0 with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. He also delivered a memorable 36-save shutout against the Nashville Predators on Jan.
That kind of showing is why Commesso could push for a roster spot if he carries that momentum into camp. At 24, he has spent multiple seasons building a case at the AHL level, and his strongest year with the Rockford IceHogs came in 2024-25. He finished that season with an 18-15-4 record, a .911 save percentage and a 2.54 goals-against average.
Arvid Soderblom is the current name in the chair, though. He played 26 games for the Blackhawks last season and posted an 8-13-3 record, an .880 save percentage and one shutout. The source also notes that this came after he had a 10-18-7 record, an .898 save percentage and a 3.18 goals-against average with the Blackhawks during the 2025-26 season.
So while Soderblom may have the edge heading into camp, the door is open. If Commesso shows well, Chicago could end up with a genuine battle for the backup job.
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