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Blackhawks Locker Room Talk

Blackhawks Practice: Ethan Del Mastro Comfortable in Second NHL Stint

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The Chicago Blackhawks were back on the ice today ahead of Friday night’s tilt with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The team made a roster move ahead of practice as they placed forward Craig Smith on injured reserve (retroactive to Jan. 8) and recalled defenseman Ethan Del Mastro from the Rockford IceHogs. Off the ice, they signed 2024 third-round draft pick AJ Spellacy to a three-year entry-level contract.



Ethan Del Mastro Back in the NHL

Recalling Del Mastro was a bit of a surprise when putting a forward on injured reserve. It’s even more surprising when all eight defensemen were on the ice for practice today. Del Mastro was on the “fourth pair” with Nolan Allan.

Del Mastro was excited to be back in Chicago. Seeing so many familiar faces in the room has given him a greater comfort level than in his two-game stint at the end of last season. Interim head coach Anders Sorensen was his first professional coach in Rockford, and there are quite a few former IceHogs teammates up here, too.

“It’s really cool after being with him last year and the start of this year,” Del Mastro said of Sorensen. “Coming up here and already having that relationship with him is nice. Last year, when I came up, there were a lot of older guys. This year, I’m seeing all these guys I’ve already played with and have known for so long.”

Last season surprised some people. Del Mastro put up more offensive numbers than expected, with seven goals and 37 points in 69 games, and was an AHL All-Star. The offensive production has dipped in year two, with eight assists in 38 games. However, with the additions of Kevin Korchinski and Artyom Levshunov, Del Mastro has been playing more of a traditional “stay-at-home” role. The biggest takeaway from his rookie season was how much faster he needs to be, not just on his skates but also between his ears.

“Coming from junior last year, I think I was holding onto pucks a little too long,” he admitted. “I was able to spin off guys in junior and had that habit. Coming into this year, that was the message. Moving pucks quickly. Getting back to pucks quickly. A lot of speed things. Not just skating-wise, either. It’s a mindset of moving quickly. That’s how it is up here.”

Sorensen gave no reason why the roster has eight healthy defensemen on it. He also didn’t rule out playing seven defensemen and 11 forwards. He did share how impressed he’s been with Del Mastro’s improvement in his second season.

“I think some of the things we’ve asked him to work on, his gaps and his defense, especially his defensive play, has improved a lot,” he said. “His ability to move pucks up the ice is something he’s done much better, quicker with his decision-making in those areas, and it’s been good.”

If today’s practice was any indication of what the lineup will look like tomorrow, there won’t be any changes. Pat Maroon was back on the ice after missing Monday’s game, but he was an extra and did not take rushes with the fourth line.