The first move of the 2025 calendar year has been made by the Chicago Blackhawks today as they are recalling Rockford IceHogs forward Colton Dach. In a corresponding move, Joey Anderson is being assigned to the IceHogs after clearing waivers way back on December 9.

The move comes ahead of the Blackhawks’ first game following their 6-2 Winter Classic loss on New Year’s Eve, which sees the Montreal Canadiens come to town on tomorrow. Depending on how head coach Anders Sorensen plans to use Dach in his call up, the soon-to-be 22-year-old (Colton’s birthday is Saturday) could make his NHL debut facing his older brother and former Blackhawks first-round pick Kirby Dach with the Habs in Chicago.

Colton was selected in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft and has played in 78 career AHL games over the past season and a half since turning pro. Last season, Dach battled injuries on and off all year but still put up 27 points in 48 AHL games as a rookie. This season, Dach is second on the IceHogs in goals (12), points (25), and shots on goal (78), trailing Cole Guttman in all three categories.

Chicago practices on Thursday at 11 a.m. CT before taking on the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night at 7 p.m. CT.