Blackhawks recall Frank Nazar from Rockford

It felt like it was only a matter of time. After putting up 11 goals and 24 points, the Chicago Blackhawks recalled Frank Nazar on Friday morning after placing Alec Martinez on injured reserve. Nazar’s production in the AHL ranks in the top ten in goals, points, and points per game, while leading all AHL rookies in those categories.

The chatter surrounding calling Nazar up this season has ebbed and flowed since the preseason ended and Nazar didn’t make the NHL roster out of training camp. Calls for his recall have intensified around the Blackhawks fanbase as the team’s offensive struggles have continued and grown throughout the year.

Following the firing of Luke Richardson and the promotion of Rockford IceHogs head coach Anders Sorensen to the interim role in Chicago, the writing was on the wall that there would be more opportunities for the younger players in Rockford to come up to Chicago and play in the NHL under Sorensen.

On Sunday, with injuries to Petr Mrázek and Alec Martinez, Drew Commesso and Kevin Korchinski were recalled to Chicago in their place and Anderson was placed on waivers. Monday morning came with a report from Sportsnet’s Elliott Friedman that he was hearing Nazar’s call up to the NHL was imminent.

Nazar was the 13th pick in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Blackhawks and spent two seasons at the University of Michigan, tallying 48 points in 54 NCAA games, and won a Gold Medal at the World Junior Championships with Team USA before making his professional debut with Chicago last season on April 14 in emphatic fashion.

The Blackhawks were in New York to take on the Rangers on Monday night, pulling out a 2-1 win followed by a 5-4 loss against the New York Islanders on Thursday night. Chicago takes on the New Jersey Devils on Saturday afternoon, before returning home to face the Islanders again on Sunday afternoon at the United Center.

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