Chicago Blackhawks hopefuls skated at USG Arena inside the Blackhawks Ice Center on Friday as they prepared for games Monday and Tuesday in the 2026 Prospect Showcase. Rockford IceHogs coach Jared Nightingale made sure the first practice was physical.
“It’s a good measuring stick,” Nightingale said. “We knew that they were going to be tired. Coming out of summer, right away you can see who’s in better shape (and) who’s prepared. You can see players that can make plays through contact that didn’t tire out.
“Quite a few guys stood out, (so) that was good to see.”
Hawks star Connor Bedard was seen skating and shooting before the prospects practice. He has been practicing with trainers for a few days now, even putting up light shots during the Friday session.
Bedard, 21, had surgery on his left shoulder in July with a recovery timeline of four months. That would set him up for a November return.
Most of the Hawks’ NHL roster held an unofficial practice after the prospects were done. Roman Kantserov was present, adding to the near certainty that the 21-year-old Russian wing will earn a spot on the opening roster.
Here are some updates on four Hawks prospects.
Marek Vanacker
After four seasons with the OHL’s Hamilton/Brantford Bulldogs, Vanacker, 20, will turn pro and is expected to join the IceHogs. It’s a step he feels poised for.
“(I) feel more confident than ever, especially my third year here (at prospect) camp,” Vanacker said.
He totaled 222 points (111 goals, 111 assists) in 228 regular-season games with the Bulldogs plus 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) in 38 playoff games. The AHL will be a different beast, but Vanacker put in the work in the offseason.
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“Lots of training back at home, got on the ice lots — it was a big year in the gym,” Vanacker said. “(I’m) really confident in what I put in this summer to turn pro and exceed at the next level.”
AJ Spellacy
Spellacy also is preparing for a first season in Rockford. Like Vanacker, he participated in development camp in late June and early July, but he has learned plenty since.
“I’m going to do everything I can to show myself, go out there and be a good teammate, play for the guys out there, use my strengths, and whatever happens, happens,” Spellacy said. “I have a lot of experience from the past couple years, so I’m pretty confident going into this (camp).”
Spellacy, 20, had 124 points (59 goals, 65 assists) in 227 games over four seasons with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires and added 11 points in 18 playoff games.
“Another high-character individual,” Nightingale said. “That’s what’s fun about coaching kids that are humble and want to get better.”
Ty Henry
The 20-year-old defenseman is hoping for a better camp than last year, when he suffered a nasty ankle injury. He missed the entire 2025-26 season for the Erie Otters.
One day of hockey isn’t a lot, but it’s amplified after a year away.
“Obviously it’s really tough (missing) a whole year of hockey — that’s what I love to do,” Henry said. “But I feel like I learned a lot.
“I lowered my body fat from 16% to 9%. I learned how to eat properly (and) worked on those little habits that I was lacking before. I got way more mature throughout that process.”
Henry was supposed to attend the University of St. Thomas this semester, but because of “complications,” he said he’ll spend another season in the OHL with the Otters. In 2024-25, he had 17 points (one goal, 16 assists) in 63 regular-season games with a minus-5 rating.
Jake Furlong
After being traded to the Hawks from the San Jose Sharks in January and joining the IceHogs, the 22-year-old defenseman experienced a culture shock — in a good way.
“It was great, a complete change of pace from San Jose,” Furlong said. “I loved it. I got to jump in, play a lot, and it’s good to learn (and) develop.”
Furlong had nine points (three goals, six assists) with a plus-4 rating in 30 games with the IceHogs. He’ll likely play a full season in Rockford in 2026-27, but not before showcasing how good he can be in camp.
“I’ve got a chip on my shoulder,” Furlong said. “I want to either be the last guy on the (Hawks) or the last guy to get sent down this year.”