Blackhawks Celebrate the Banner Years, Prospects Shine, and NHL Trade Winds Begin to Blow
Tonight, the United Center takes a trip down memory lane. The Blackhawks are honoring the Banner Years-those unforgettable seasons that brought three Stanley Cups to Chicago in six years.
Fittingly, the Boston Bruins are in town, a team forever tied to one of the franchise’s most iconic moments: the “17 Seconds” comeback in the 2013 Final. Expect plenty of references to that wild finish as the Blackhawks pay tribute to a golden era.
Olympic Bound: Blackhawks Sending Three to Winter Games
The Blackhawks will have a presence at next month’s Winter Olympics, with three members of the organization heading overseas. Teuvo Teravainen will suit up for Finland, goaltending prospect Adam Gajan will represent Slovakia, and assistant coach Anders Sorensen will join Team Sweden’s staff. It’s a nice blend of past, present, and future for the franchise on the international stage.
Looking even further ahead, Jeff Maroon took a stab at projecting which Blackhawks could be skating in the 2030 Olympics. It’s a fun exercise that shows just how deep the pipeline is starting to look.
Where Are They Now? Banner Years Legends Resurface
As part of tonight’s celebration, several former Blackhawks from the championship years have been tracked down. Dustin Byfuglien, Antti Niemi, and Michal Handzus are among the familiar names catching up with fans and media alike. These players helped define an era of dominance, and it’s always compelling to see where life has taken them post-hockey.
Rockford IceHogs Making Noise
Down in Rockford, the IceHogs kicked off a packed weekend with a statement win over the AHL-leading Grand Rapids Griffins. All the goals came in the third period, with Ryan Gagnier, Dominic Toninato, and Samuel Savoie lighting the lamp. But the real star was between the pipes-Stanislav Berezhnoy turned away 31 shots to hand Grand Rapids just their third regulation loss of the season.
The IceHogs now gear up for a home-and-home set against the Chicago Wolves, starting tonight in Rosemont. For fans keeping tabs on the next wave of Blackhawks talent, this is where the action is.
College Hockey Gets Chippy
It’s not every day you see a fight in college hockey, but Boston University’s Sacha Boisvert and UMass-Lowell’s Connor Eddy gave fans a rare throwback moment. The two dropped the gloves midway through the third period in BU’s 4-3 loss, earning automatic ejections and one-game suspensions under NCAA rules. It was a flash of old-school grit in a league where that kind of physicality is nearly extinct.
Jack Pridham’s Hat Trick Pushes Him Up the OHL Scoring Charts
Blackhawks prospect Jack Pridham put on a show for the Kitchener Rangers, notching a hat trick and an assist in a 7-4 win over the Saginaw Spirit. The three-goal night gives him 28 on the season, just one behind fellow Chicago prospect Marek Vanacker for the Ontario Hockey League lead. The Blackhawks have to be thrilled with the offensive firepower emerging from their junior ranks.
A Look Back: Historic Blackhawks Moments on January 17
The date holds some weight in Blackhawks history:
- In 1962, Glenn Hall was honored for playing in 500 straight games-an ironman streak for the ages. Unfortunately, the Canadiens weren’t in a celebratory mood, dropping seven goals on him in a 7-3 win.
- In 1979, Tony Esposito earned his 300th win, becoming the first goalie in franchise history to hit that milestone.
- In 1988, Denis Savard recorded his 10th career hat trick in a 5-4 win over the Capitals.
- And in 1993, Michel Goulet scored his final career hat trick, helping extend the Blackhawks’ home winning streak over the Maple Leafs to 12 games.
Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call - January 17
Happy birthday to a few names that have worn the Indian Head: Pep Kelly, Russ Brayshaw, Jeremy Roenick, Derek Plante, Scott Foster, and Viktor Stalberg.
Around the NHL: Trade Talks, Injuries, and Streaks Snapped
Rangers Signal a Shift
New York Rangers GM Chris Drury addressed fans directly with a letter that signaled a shift in direction. While he didn’t use the word “rebuild,” the message was clear: changes are coming. The Rangers have a number of assets that could be moved ahead of the trade deadline, and Drury appears ready to reshape the roster.
One of the biggest dominoes? Artemi Panarin.
According to Elliotte Friedman, the Rangers won’t offer him an extension. Drury has spoken with Panarin and his agent and will work to find a trade partner of his choosing.
That sets the stage for Panarin to become the marquee name on the free-agent market this summer. While a reunion with the Blackhawks might be a long shot, it’s a storyline worth keeping an eye on.
Injury Bug Bites the West
The Minnesota Wild are down two key forwards, placing Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy on injured reserve. Eriksson Ek has been battling a lower-body injury since January 8, while Boldy’s status is less clear after leaving Thursday’s game against Winnipeg.
Meanwhile, the Anaheim Ducks announced that Leo Carlsson underwent a procedure to treat a Morel-Lavallee lesion in his left thigh. The injury will sideline him for 3-5 weeks and could jeopardize his availability for Sweden at the Winter Olympics. It’s a tough break for one of the league’s most promising young centers.
Streaks Snapped in Style
Friday night saw a couple of impressive streaks come to an end:
- Ryan O’Reilly had a monster night, scoring a hat trick and adding an assist to lead the Nashville Predators to a 7-3 win over the Avalanche. That handed Colorado its first regulation loss at home this season-snapping a remarkable 19-0-3 run at Ball Arena.
- Over in St. Louis, the Blues edged the Lightning 3-2 in a shootout, ending Tampa Bay’s 11-game winning streak. It’s the second time in franchise history the Blues have snapped a double-digit streak, having stopped Columbus’ 10-gamer back in 2018.
As the Blackhawks honor their past tonight, the present is buzzing with young talent and a league already deep in trade season drama. From prospects lighting it up in juniors to big names potentially on the move, the NHL is heating up-and we’re just getting started.