NEWARK, N.J. — On Friday, the Chicago Blackhawks announced the promotion of promising young talent Frank Nazar from the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs. This recall comes in conjunction with the decision to place defenseman Alec Martinez on injured reserve, a move that dates back to December 7 due to a neck injury. Martinez, who recently signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Blackhawks, will be sidelined for the immediate future.
Nazar, now 20 years old, has shown impressive performance at Rockford, registering 11 goals and 13 assists over the course of 21 games. While playing for the IceHogs, Nazar focused on his individual performance without getting distracted by the prospect of a call-up. “Just play my game, focus on myself and obviously help the team win, best I could do, and let the rest come,” he remarked, underscoring his commitment to contributing positively to his team.
The return of Nazar to the Blackhawks also reunites him with Anders Sorensen, who was his coach at Rockford before stepping into the role of interim coach for Chicago following the dismissal of Luke Richardson on December 5. Nazar expressed his comfort in having someone he knows well and trusts in a coaching position: “I know that he’s going to give good feedback and everything like that, and just help out in areas where I need it.”
Drafted by Chicago as the 13th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, Nazar made a notable impression at the University of Michigan before signing a three-year deal with the Blackhawks in April. He made a brief appearance with the NHL team last season, scoring on his very first shot in his debut against Carolina on April 14.
Having started this season in Rockford, the Blackhawks believed it was essential for Nazar’s development to play in the minors while they strengthened other areas of the team through free agency. However, his swift rise in performance has made a compelling argument for his return to the NHL. General manager Kyle Davidson praised Nazar’s contributions, noting, “He’s been a real bright spot for us and his performance has been really exciting.”
As the Blackhawks prepare for their upcoming matchup against New Jersey following a slump in which they lost six out of seven games, Nazar is anticipated to play alongside Taylor Hall and Tyler Bertuzzi against the Devils. Sorensen advised Nazar to lean into his instincts during gameplay, stating, “He’s been playing real well down there. 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.”