The Rockford IceHogs are celebrating 20 seasons as the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, and that anniversary comes with the usual question that hangs over every prospect pipeline: who’s next?
Chicago has already seen a few young players come through Rockford and make the jump, including Nick Lardis and Oliver Moore last season. This year, names like Sacha Boisvert, Drew Commesso and AJ Spellacy could be in that conversation too.
But for every prospect who gets a look, there are others whose entry-level contracts are winding down without a clear path to the NHL. That doesn’t close the door forever, but it does make the next few months important.
Two Rockford forwards who helped their cases last season were Samuel Savoie and Gavin Hayes. Savoie is heading into the final year of his ELC after a noticeable step forward.
He posted seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points in 72 games in his first year, then improved to 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points in 62 games. Hayes made an even bigger jump in the scoring column.
After finishing with five goals and ten assists for 15 points in 50 games two years ago, he put up 13 goals and assists for 26 points in 57 games this season. Ten of those points came over his final 16 games, which is the kind of late push that gets attention.
If that growth carries over, both players could force their way into Chicago’s plans this season.
The picture is murkier for a couple of other Blackhawks prospects who need to show more. Paul Ludwinski’s last season with the IceHogs was rough, and then his 2025-26 rebound chance was wiped out almost immediately when a left knee injury ended his season after just three games. Two years ago in Rockford, he had seven goals and five assists in 65 games, a steep drop after his 23-goal, 46-assist season in 60 games with the OHL Kingston Frontenacs during the 2023-24 season.
Martin Misiak is in a similar spot. He had a strong final OHL season with the Erie Otters in 2024-25, finishing the regular season with 23 goals and 36 assists for 59 points in 60 games. But that scoring touch didn’t follow him to Rockford, where he managed just four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 63 games last season.
For Ludwinski and Misiak, the formula is simple: produce more, or risk not being tendered a contract when the season is over.
Chicago’s offseason also changes the backdrop here. With Connor Bedard re-signed, Patrick Kane added and Bowen Byram acquired, the Blackhawks have made a real push and look to be moving toward playoff contention. That still leaves a few roster spots open, and training camp should be crowded.
So while Hayes and Savoie look like the most obvious IceHogs candidates to get NHL looks this season - even if it’s just fourth-line minutes - Ludwinski and Misiak have to make their case first. If they do, they could put themselves back in the conversation for a call-up to Chicago.
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