Another day, another physically taxing practice at Chicago Blackhawks prospect camp.
More Top Picks Roborock Q5 Max Plus
Rockford IceHogs coach Jared Nightingale hasn’t given the prospects room to relax yet. The second-year bench boss admitted that the group was “a little tired from yesterday” but he’s making sure they’re ready for next week’s games.
“There’s lots to teach, that’s a process throughout the whole season,” Nightingale said Saturday at Blackhawks Ice Center. “There’ll be lots of learning, especially in Game 1 and Game 2 of the rookie tournament.”
A physical practice and a Connor Bedard sighting highlight Day 1 of Chicago Blackhawks prospect camp
The Hawks will play St. Louis Blues prospects Monday and Tuesday, followed by the main roster training camp shortly after. Nightingale could be setting the tone for the 2026-27 Rockford season after a lackluster first campaign.
As the IceHogs look to make the playoffs, they’ll welcome new pros such as AJ Spellacy and Marek Vanacker. Some returning players will be vital to a turnaround as well, including 21-year-old wing Martin Misiak.
“He’s one of our most improved,” Nightingale said. “He’s really coachable, and I think he knows what he wants to become. Last season was a season of maturing for (Misiak). He kept a good attitude and trusted the process (and) I think that there’s opportunity for him there to have a big role on our team in Rockford.”
A native of Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, Misiak arrived at BMO Arena last season with high expectations. He joined after totaling 106 points (46 goals, 60 assists) in 120 regular-season games with the OHL’s Erie Otters.
A second-round draft pick (No. 55) in 2023, Misiak took a step back in his first professional season, often fighting for playing time. In 63 games in 2025-26, he had 15 points (four goals, 11 assists).
He found his footing later on, setting him up for success in his second year. It was a pool of lessons the first time around.
“It’s tough for a rookie coming from juniors,” Misiak said Saturday. “I struggled at the start getting the ice time I wanted and getting in the lineup. As the season went, I think I did a lot of good stuff (and made) good progress in my game. The coach started trusting me more and my ice time went up, so I felt better every game.”
The wing came to Rockford as an aggressive forechecker who created offensive opportunities for teammates. The Hawks had a different vision for him — a power-forward-like role.
“I’m not really a power player, but I played that way in Rockford last year,” Misiak said. “The biggest part for me in Rockford was figuring out what my game is and figuring out what player I need to be to make the next step.”
The comparison Nightingale and the team envisioned with Misiak is Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett. Misiak’s not at that level yet, but the coach believes taking advantage of his strength will help him reach his potential.
“He can chip in offensively (and) gets to the dirty areas,” Nightingale said. “When you’re a forechecking forward and you get to the dirty areas, you have to have great habits with your stick (and) being on the right side of pucks. That’s where (Misiak) improved a lot.”
The wing should get some extra ice time this season, and those reps will help him gain the needed confidence to succeed. With the Blues games at USG Arena approaching, it will be the first step to that much-needed experience.
More Top Picks Camp Chairs Kids
“It’s knowing the plays you can make in certain areas and covering the puck,” Misiak said. “Then you get confidence making those plays and then you get confidence all around.
“It’s really good to get these games going so you get that little head start. You already have two games, so you’re in the tempo (and) that’s the biggest positive from that.”