Because there’s no Blackhawks hockey this week and we’re waiting for the games to begin at the 4 Nations Face-Off, I wanted to dig in with some prospects and catch up on their development this season. I’ve shared some of the conversations I had with Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel from Minnesota thus far this week.
Without question the hottest name in the Blackhawks’ training camp this fall was a third-round pick from this past summer’s draft. AJ Spellacy showed up big, strong and fast and didn’t look like a teenager who was a third-round pick. He looked like he could belong on the ice with NHL players; he certainly did at times during NHL preseason games. Since he’s been back at Windsor in the OHL this season, I wanted to hear from him about his season has been going — especially since he signed his entry-level contract.
I was surprised that Spellacy didn’t get a contract before he left Chicago at the end of training camp. He told me the Blackhawks did let him know they intended to sign him at some point before the end of his OHL season, but had some things to work out before they could put the paper in front of him. Around Christmas they reached out to have another conversation, and Spellacy signed on Jan. 23.
“I wanted to focus on this year in Windsor, and then I had the [USA Hockey] World Junior camp,” Spellacy said. “I thought staying in Windsor with this team and the organization was the best fit for me and so did Chicago. So I put that into perspective and signed with Chicago. Hopefully I’ll make the [Blackhawks] team next year or be sent back to Windsor.”
AJ Spellacy flies down the ice and scores his first unofficial goal with Chicago. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/nBXgDzGiTb
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) September 14, 2024Spellacy opened a lot of eyeballs in Chicago and then at the World Junior camp for USA Hockey, where he went in as a fringe guy and then almost made the team (hopefully he’s on the roster next year). Since heading back to Windsor, he’s spent time at both center and wing. He told me the move to the wing occasionally is to get experience there if that’s where he eventually fits in the Blackhawks organization, but he sees himself as a center.
He’s been working with Blackhawks development coach Andy Delmore to break down his game and talk thru the areas where he can continue to improve. Spellacy said the Blackhawks talk to him about loose puck touches, creating rushes, penalty killing and hits as well as some things he can do to be better in the faceoff circle. Improvement in his all-around game continues to be his focus.
“I’m still trying to play that physical role for my team, trying to create opportunities for everyone else and myself and give the team a spark whenever it’s needed,” he said. “We have a lot of scorers on this team, but I look at myself and I can do that too. So just stepping up when the team meets me, doing well on the PK and helping the team in every aspect.”
AJ Spellacy with a #BestOfOHL game-winner ?The @NHLBlackhawks prospect stepped up for the @SpitsHockey, wiring the go-ahead goal while shorthanded to complete the comeback London on #OHLDay ?️#OHLxMilkUP | @OntarioDairy | #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/F9a8rl9rin
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 3, 2025With his first experience in an NHL training camp, Spellacy gained a better understanding of some areas of his game that he can work to improve. And he’s taken some big steps forward offensively as he looks to continue developing as a hockey player. Remember: he was a 3-star football recruit until just a couple years ago, so the Blackhawks see a great deal of potential with Spellacy. And his confidence after training camp has helped his game take steps forward.
“My shot and playmaking have improved this season,” he said. “I’ve always had the speed and physicality. It’s just adding that piece of playmaking and scoring and stuff like that. I think at the next level my game will be someone who’s hard to play against, gets on the forecheck and does all the little things right. But I think continuing to grow in that aspect with my shot, creating opportunities, I think that’s going to be a big thing.”
I think a lot of us really liked the speed/size package presented by Spellacy during training camp. He’s helped Windsor run away with the West Division of the OHL this season and he continues to perform well in all areas of the game. Who knows if his 2025-26 season begins in Chicago or back in Windsor, but he continues to have a great outlook on the process.
4 Nations Face-Off BONUS
I asked Spellacy if he’ll be watching the 4 Nations Face-Off. He said yes, and he’s excited to watch the games and will give a little extra attention to Matthew Tkachuk for the US. “I really like the way he plays,” Spellacy said.
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