NHL: Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks Mar 15, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks forward Colton Dach (28) smiles during warm up prior to a game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Chicago Blackhawks free player after injury so he can play in postseason

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 4:40 PM ET

The Chicago Blackhawks‘ season ended last week in a 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators. The Blackhawks finished their regular season by winning their final two games, which left them with a 25-46-11 record, the second worst in the NHL.

Following the firing of head coach Luke Richardson in December, general manager Kyle Davidson made the development of young talent a priority for the remainder of the season for the Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs.

Much to the agitation of veterans on the Blackhawks, many youngsters from the IceHogs were given time on the ice in the NHL this spring. Centre Colton Dach, the Blackhawks’ second-round pick in 2022, was brought up from Rockford to play for the Blackhawks starting on Jan. 3.

Dach sustained an elbow injury in March that kept him out of the remainder of the Blackhawks’ regular season.

Chicago Blackhawks free up Colton Dach for playoffs

Per Charlie Roumeliotis of WGN Radio, Chicago is demoting him to the IceHogs to play in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

“Blackhawks assign Colton Dach to AHL’s Rockford IceHogs,” Roumeliotis posted on X. “He had been out since March 20 with an elbow injury. More reinforcements for the Calder Cup Playoffs.”

#Blackhawks assign Colton Dach to AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. He had been out since March 20 with an elbow injury.

More reinforcements for the Calder Cup Playoffs.

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) April 24, 2025

Dach will provide experience for the Rockford IceHogs

NHL: Los Angeles Kings at Chicago Blackhawks Mar 3, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Colton Dach (28) during warmups at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Dach finished his season in the NHL with two goals and five assists. At 22, he’ll give experienced help to an IceHogs team that defeated the Chicago Wolves 2-1 on Wednesday in Game 1 of their three-game series in the first round.

The IceHogs finished fifth place in the Central Division with a 31-33 record in the regular season.

Dach appeared in 33 games for Rockford in the regular season. The lefty scored 26 points on 12 goals and 14 assists.

NHL: Los Angeles Kings at Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Blackhawks center Colton Dach (28) points towards Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alec Martinez (25) after he scored against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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