Just as the NHL season will be full of ups and downs for the Chicago Blackhawks, the minor league seasons for the prospects in the Blackhawks system will also come with ups and downs. After a big upswing week in the AHL, the Rockford IceHogs have hit a bit of a downswing. In the North American junior ranks, a prospect who had a down season last year is having a huge start to his season this year that might see his stock within the organization going up once again.

Mario Tirabassi is keeping tabs on the amateur ranks in North America. He will make a deep dive into the NCAA ranks and the Canadian junior leagues. Greg Boysen is focused on the Rockford IceHogs in the American Hockey League ...