Ethan Del Mastro Headlines A Great Weekend for Blackhawks Prospects

Ethan Del Mastro continues to make his case to be in Chicago as early as next season as he is not only indispensable right now in Rockford, but taking his game to another level.

Del Mastro took a feed from Lukas Reichel in overtime and buried the game winner, giving the IceHogs its fifth straight win. Rockford has won eight of its last ten, and has catapulted itself back into the thick of things for the playoffs. Once in a spot, the IceHogs are climbing and now sit just two points behind the Texas Stars for third in the Central. Against Grand Rapids, also one of the hottest teams in the league, this is another impressive victory for the Hogs.

Del Mastro has 29 points in 52 games, with seven finding the back of the net. Reichel now has five assists in six games since returning to Rockford.

Bringing the electricity to MI⚡️ https://t.co/e3npyddKsO pic.twitter.com/vZSWyCdon4

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) March 3, 2024

Ethan Del Mastro Not the Only One With A Great Weekend

A look around the landscape reveals a number of Blackhawks prospects having a terrific weekend. Over with Soo, Gavin Hayes had two goals and assist in its win Friday night. That gives him 28 points in 19 games, with 15 being goals. The torrid pace continues for Hayes who with a strong showing in the OHL playoffs might find himself in the argument to start with the Blackhawks in October next season.

Martin Misiak had a goal for Erie in Thursday’s victory, giving him 18 on the season. He now has 38 points in 51 games for the Otters.

In the college ranks, it was a Big 10 battle between Minnesota and Michigan, which featured Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel taking on Frank Nazar of the Wolverines. Moore  had quite the night Friday in a 6-2 thrashing of Michigan where Moore potted two goals. Rinzel had an assist in the win as well.

Michigan won 6-5 last night, and Nazar had just an assist in both games. Both Gophers were held off the scoresheet.

Meanwhile for the University of Denver, Aidan Thompson had two goals and an assist in a pair of games this weekend against St. Cloud State. Thompson is another intriguing prospect to watch as he’s had a sneaky good season with one of the NCAA’s most prominent hockey powers. The goal yesterday was Thompson’s 10th of the season.

Whether Ethan Del Mastro, Oliver Moore, or one of several others, it was a fine weekend for many of the Blackhawks prospects.

Follow Chicago Hockey Now on Facebook and Twitter

Follow Nate on Twitter