The quiet before the storm… (Photo: Rockford IceHogs/Facebook)

The Rockford IceHogs begin their 14th training camp today at 1 pm. It will be their sixth as an affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, so they begin their camp with what could be their deepest camp roster yet thanks to the lockout. (Rockford Register-Star) For the complete training camp roster, click here.

The training camp practices will be closed, so don’t make any plans to head to Rockford for that. However, they will be holding three preseason games, including a game at BMO Harris Bank Center against the Milwaukee Admirals on October 4. For your free ticket to this game, click here.

The pre-game skate at Riverview Ice Center (324 North Madison Street Rockford, IL) on October 6 from 8-10am will also be open to the public. After the jump is the full training camp schedule.

» Continue reading “On The Farm: IceHogs Training Camp Starts Today”

That ends that, then. (Photo: Jed Sullivan/flickr)

The NHL has cancelled all remaining preseason games, which includes two Blackhawks preseason games.

• Friday, October 5 @ Pittsburgh Penguins
• Saturday, October 6 vs. Philadelphia Flyers

If you have already bought tickets to the remaining preseason home game, keep an eye on your email for further information on how to get your money back.

» Continue reading “Fresh Brew: Goodbye, Preseason Schedule”

But the Blackhawks JUST signed you! (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Another day, another Czech Blackhawks player making a run for Europe.

This time, it’s Michal Rozsival, who signed with the Blackhawks on September 11. He has signed with HC Plzeň of the Czech Extraliga.

What does tyden.cz have to say about this? Let us find out through Google Translate:

Pilsen hockey players in the league will strengthen during the NHL lockout Finnish goalie Tuukka Rask, who works in Boston, and before him rejoiced in victory in the Stanley Cup. Zapadocesky club also hired Czech defender Martin shoemaker, who will be in a month and then the team should move to Sweden, where he plays with an annual break in the KHL since 2008. By cadre from Pilsen has directed as well as other NHL bek Michal Rozsival.

…Okay, that used a lot of English words, but still wasn’t the least bit understandable. Also, I think that was mostly about Tuukka Rask and whoever has a name that translates to Martin Shoemaker. But that last sentence was totally about Roszival signing with the team, so it counts!

According to Matias Strokzyk, the contract is for one month.

As you’ll recall, Michael Frolik was the first Blackhawk to bolt to Europe, signing with Piráti Chomutov on Saturday.

This is the face I make whenever I think about the lockout. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

And the first Blackhawk to bolt to Europe to play during the NHL lockout is… Michael Frolik.

As first reported by eliteprospects.com, Frolik has signed on to play with Piráti Chomutov of the Czech Extraliga. Let’s see what rozhlas.cz has to say about this, through the magic of Google Translate:

Chicago striker Michael Frolik strengthen extraleague Chomutov. Czech hockey player will be at the club in the Central lockout NHL. The team should be a member of the team bronze from the last World Cup to join in the coming days.

Michael Frolik player but is positive, so the clubs must first agree on which should be the weekend of the state. The Pirates have signed čtyřiadvacetiletý player. 

In the NHL playoffs, including Frolik played 315 matches, of which he chalked up to his 53 goals and 83 assists. In Extraleague appeared already at sixteen, two years later, he was like the tenth order draftovala Florida. 

When lockout overseas competition in the domestic competition appear first Tuesday in Třinec since Sunday match in Liberec still misses. In Chomutov fans will see him on Friday in a game against Kladno. 

Wow. That was insightful.

Frolik might be the first Blackhawks player to head overseas to play while the NHL and the NHLPA fight it out, but he certainly won’t be the last. Viktor Stalberg has stated that he would like to play with Frölunda of Elitserien, while Niklas Hjalmarsson is already back home in Sweden. Meanwhile, Patrick Kane isn’t sure if he’ll head to Europe — but if he does, he would like to play with Jonathan Toews.

Actually, let’s be honest. This was the last time Lebda was ever relevant. (Photo: Michael Righi/flickr)

On The Farm provides news from the Chicago Blackhawks‘ farm teams: the Rockford IceHogs and Toledo Walleye.

The Rockford IceHogs signed Brett Lebda to a Professional Try Out contract today to round out their training camp roster.

While Lebda, a native of Buffalo Grove, would probably like you to remember him as a former Stanley Cup champion with the Detroit Red Wings, it’s more likely that you remember his disastrous stint as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. My favorite “Lebda being Lebda” moment was when the Maple Leafs beat the holy hell out of the Atlanta Thrashers 9-3 — but he somehow managed to still be a minus-3 on the night.

He then signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this year — mostly because the Blue Jackets had, like, two healthy defensemen left at that point.

It’s safe to say that Lebda won’t make it anywhere near the Blackhawks even after the lockout, but if he can crack the IceHogs’ roster and provide some veteran leadership, more power to him.

» Continue reading “On The Farm: Lebda Still Relevant, Kind Of”

Putting his team on his back since 1998.

It’s 1998. Jonathan Toews is playing for the Winnipeg Junior Jets in the Brick Super Novice Hockey Tournament in Edmonton, AB when his team finds themselves on the wrong side of a 5-on-3 situation.

Toews then decides to bail out his team — a skill he would bring to the Blackhawks almost a decade later.

» Continue reading “From The Vault: 10-Year-Old Toews > You”

When will we get to see the UC like this again? (Photo: Jed Sullivan/flickr)

The NHL has cancelled all preseason games through September 30, which includes four Blackhawks preseason games.

• Tuesday, September 25 @ Philadelphia Flyers
• Thursday, September 27 @ Detroit Red Wings
• Friday, September 28 vs. Detroit Red Wings
• Sunday, September 30 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

If you have already bought tickets to either of the two home games, keep an eye on your email for further information on how to get your money back.

» Continue reading “Fresh Brew: Blackhawks Lose Four Preseason Games”

Unless you’re a current Blackhawks player. Then you can f–k right off.

The Blackhawks held their annual Four Feathers Golf Invitational yesterday, and, well — something seemed a bit… off.

Here, take a look at the video and then compare it to last year’s video after the jump.

» Continue reading “The Blackhawks’ Charity Golf Outing Seemed Different”

Toews leads the team during practice. (Via @adamjahns/Twitter)

The NHL might be locked out, but that doesn’t stop the Blackhawks from getting a skate in.

Most of the team that has already made their way to Chicago — including Jonathan Toews, Jamal Mayers (who worked the whistle), Patrick Sharp, Dave Bolland, Steve Montador, Johnny Oduya, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Marcus Kruger, and Sheldon Brookbank — skated in an informal practice today at Johnny’s Ice House West. Ben Smith, Brandon Pirri, Adam Clendening, and Jeremy Morin also joined the group, along with ex-Blackhawks Brian Campbell, Ben Eager, and Troy Brouwer. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Funny thing about this lockout — the Blackhawks can go to Johnny’s Ice House West to practice, can wear their own practice sweaters — but they can’t use their locker room. (@TimSassone)

» Continue reading “Fresh Brew: Blackhawks Continue To Practice”

The Blackhawks may be standing by as the lockout continues, but we aren’t.

Starting next week, Runs On Duncan will be providing you with weekly game updates from the Rockford IceHogs, Toledo Walleye, and Chicago Steel. Here is the tentative update schedule:

• Mondays: Toledo Walleye
• Tuesdays: Rockford IceHogs
• Wednesdays: Chicago Steel

We will also be updating with news about these teams as it comes in during the week.

Of course, we won’t be abandoning Blackhawks news altogether — we’ll be getting you the news about what’s going on with our favorite players, as well. Keep an eye on this site. We’re going to make it through this lockout together.