IceHogs Ink Blackhawks Prospect Marcel Marcel to AHL Contract

The Rockford IceHogs signed a Blackhawks prospect with arguably the best name in the pipeline to a deal today. Marcel Marcel, Chicago’s 2023 fifth round pick inked a deal to skate with the IceHogs starting this fall.  The deal is for a season and will expire at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

NEWS📰: IceHogs Sign 2023 Blackhawks Draft Pick Marcel Marcel to AHL Deal

Welcome Welcome!

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) July 19, 2023

Marcel Marcel Draws Intrigue With Name, Game

It was certainly talked about when his name was called at the draft, and those who have played alongside him have raved about what he brings. But of course, it’s the identical first and last name that garners the most attention.

“No, not at all. I mean he’s kinda tough to not draft him,” fellow Blackhawks prospect and Gatineau teammate Samuel Savoie said. “He’s a big boy. 6’4, 6’5. He weighs a lot, I think he’s 240 right now. It’s tough to not draft him. He skates well, he’s a good player so I’m not surprised at all.”

So it really isn’t shocking that his professional debut will now be sooner rather than later. Director of Amateur Scouting Mike Doneghey certainly liked what he saw with the towering forward.

“We saw Marcel a lot, because he played in Gatineau with Sam Savoie, so when development was there or our Quebec league scouts were there, I’d always get a text on Marcel,” Doneghey said.  “He’s a bigger kid. He’s 6-4, almost 6-5, 240 pounds. But he gets around the ice really well. He played in the world juniors, he was very successful there as a winger, so he fits our profile and he brings some size to the table.”

That size and success now finds its way to Rockford with a number of other Blackhawks prospects drafted in recent years.

Blackhawks Retain Rights

Marcel now reports to Rockford instead of returning to Gatineau in the “Q” where he had 32 points (14-18) in 52 games. It will certainly be a more competitive step up against prospects and veterans just a step away from the NHL. It also doesn’t affect the Blackhawks rights with him.

The 6-4, 243-lb 19-year-old is going to turn pro instead of going back to junior (20 in Oct).#Blackhawks will still have Marcel’s draft rights after this season. Similar to what Andrew Shaw did in 2011 when he was drafted in 5th round and went straight to Rockford on AHL deal. https://t.co/SJz7uLPglk

— Mike Folta (@mike_folta) July 19, 2023

It’s understandable to have a chuckle or two about Marcel Marcel and his name. But if the Blackhawks end up seeing a Shaw like path and similar production out of him, it’ll be Chicago laughing loudest about another late round gem on its roster.