Blackhawks activate veteran goaltender off IR

The Chicago Blackhawks have reportedly activated goaltender Petr Mrazek off injured reserve and re-assigned netminder Drew Commesso to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (as per Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio 720). 

Mrazek was considered close to a return on Tuesday but was not activated until Thursday morning. The 32-year-old has been dealing with a left groin strain that has kept him out of action since Dec. 7.

Mrazek has dressed in 20 of Chicago’s 32 games to start the year and has put up a 7-11-1 record with a respectable .906 save percentage and 2.83 goals-against average. He dressed in 56 games for Chicago last season, posting a goals saved above expected of 1.6 (as per Money Puck) and a save percentage of .907 with an 18-31-4 record.

22-year-old Commesso started his first NHL game on Dec. 14 for Chicago and played ok as he carried a shutout into the third period but ultimately lost the decision 4-1. He spent nearly two weeks in Chicago during Mrazek’s absence but saw just two appearances during that time. 

The former second-round pick now heads back to Rockford, where he has put up pedestrian numbers in 10 games this season with a 4-6 record and a 3.34 goals-against average, as well as a .879 save percentage.

Chicago is at home Thursday night to face the Seattle Kraken, and we should know later in the day whether Mrazek will start or be the backup.