Kevin Korchinski named AHL All-Star MVP

What a night for Chicago Blackhawks prospect and Rockford IceHogs defenseman Kevin Korchinski. After being named to the AHL All-Star game as a replacement, Korchinski put on a show to help the Central Division win the 2025 AHL All-Star Challenge and won the mini tournament’s MVP award in the process.

The AHL All-Star Challenge format pits the four AHL divisions against each other in a round-robin three-on-three tournament with the Challenge Final pitting the top two point-earning divisions against each other.

In the first matchup of the night, Korchinski led the way with a goal and two assists as the Central Division topped the Atlantic Division 3-0.

Kevin Korchinski making himself known in Team Central’s 1st win of the evening pic.twitter.com/eg2upHSWC0

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) February 4, 2025

Following the 3-0 win over the Atlantic Division, the Central Division fell 4-2 to the North Division, but both Kevin Korchinski and Cole Guttman registered points in the game with Guttman getting a goal and Korchinski tallying a sweet no-look pass for an assist.

Kevin Korchinski gets fancy with it.

Curtis McKenzie finds the back of the net. @TheAHL @goicehogs @TexasStars pic.twitter.com/XoRhj8xkd1

— Elaine Shircliff (@imaraindancer) February 4, 2025

The Central Division needed a win in their final matchup against the Pacific Division and they delivered in a 5-2 victory. Korchinski factored into the 3-2 goal for the Central, the eventual game-winner, but wasn’t officially given an assist on the play even though he clearly should have.

Team Central is championship bound

Another assist from Korchinski in that game!! pic.twitter.com/BgLi9VcqhP

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) February 4, 2025

That win set up the AHL All-Star Challenge Final between Korchinski, Guttman and the Central Division against the Atlantic Division. The game would go through two periods of play tied 1-1 and head to a shootout to determine the Challenge Champion. Guttman didn’t convert on the opening shootout attempt for the Central Division, but both Korchinski and Curtis McKenzie scored their chances to give the Central Division the shootout win.

Kevin Korchinski and Curtis McKenzie score for the Central Division to win the AHL All-Star Challenge in the shootout!
(@FloHockey) pic.twitter.com/XgcSORbMni

— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) February 4, 2025

For his efforts in a four-point night (should have been five) and his role in winning the shootout, Korchinski was named the AHL All-Star Challenge MVP.

Kevin Korchinski was named the @TheAHL All-Star Challenge MVP!!

We caught up with him afterwards to hear about his take on this experience. pic.twitter.com/9fSHoODxm6

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) February 4, 2025

This has to be a big feather in the cap of Korchinski in his second professional season. After playing in Chicago as a rookie with 76 games and 15 points last year, Korchinski has spent nearly all of the 2024-25 season with the Rockford IceHogs as a 20-year-old, aside from a nine-game stint with the Blackhawks earlier this season. In 34 AHL games this year, Korchinski has two goals and 18 points, leading all Rockford defensemen in scoring this season.

Given his continued growth in year two of his professional career, it might be safe to assume this was the only time Kevin Korchinski will play in an AHL All-Star Challenge, and he made the most of it.