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The 20-year-old Nazar had 11 goals and 13
assists in 21 games with Rockford of the American Hockey League.
He said he tried not to think about a possible promotion while
he was playing with the IceHogs.
“Just play my game, focus on myself and obviously help the team
win, best I could do, and let the rest come,” he said.
The move reunites Nazar with Anders Sorensen, who was coaching
Rockford before he got the interim job with Chicago when Luke
Richardson was fired on Dec 5.
“It's definitely really nice just to have someone that I know
and trust and have a good relationship with,” Nazar said. “I
know that he's going to give good feedback and everything like
that, and just help out in areas where I need it.”
Nazar was selected by Chicago with the No. 13 pick in the 2022
draft. After starring for the University of Michigan, the
forward agreed to a three-year contract with the Blackhawks in
April.
Nazar skated in three games with Chicago at the end of last
season, scoring on his first shot on goal in his NHL debut on
April 14 against Carolina.
The Blackhawks were active in free agency, so they had Nazar
begin the season with Rockford to continue with his development.
But he made a strong case to rejoin the NHL team with his fast
start in the minors.
“Frank’s played very well,” general manager Kyle Davidson said
last week when asked about Nazar being promoted. “He’s been a
real bright spot for us and his performance has been really
exciting.”
Chicago (9-18-2) has dropped six of seven going into Saturday's
game at New Jersey. It begins a three-game homestand on Sunday
against the New York Islanders.
Nazar is expected to skate on a line with Taylor Hall and Tyler
Bertuzzi against the Devils. Sorensen said his advice for Nazar
is to trust his instincts.
“He's been playing real well down there,” Sorensen said. “He can
drive a puck and just kind of play his game, right? And then as
we go, after the game we'll talk more.”
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