It was a busy Thursday morning for the Chicago Blackhawks right at the beginning of their 11 a.m. practice. Within a matter of a half-hour, the Blackhawks had recalled defenseman Ethan Del Mastro from the Rockford IceHogs and signed 2024 third-round draft pick AJ Spellacy to his entry-level contract.

Spellacy was elected in the third-round of the 2024 NHL Draft this past June with the 72nd pick by Chicago. After deciding between a promising football career and a hockey career at the age of 16, Spellacy just recently gone all-in on his hockey career compared to the majority of his peers. He has spent the past three years playing for the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL.

Spellacy’s speed, raw physical talents, and his football-friendly frame (6’3″, 205lbs) are what drew the Blackhawks to select him this past June. Ahead of the 2025 World Junior Championships, Spellacy was invited to the Team USA camp ahead of the tournament, but was one of the last cuts. He is eligible for next year’s tournament and is on the radar for that team as well.

Through 40 OHL games this season, Spellacy has 11 goals and 25 points, playing mainly in a middle-six role for the Spitfires.