The Blackhawks recalled forward prospect Colton Dach from AHL Rockford on Wednesday night, per the AHL’s transactions log. The 21-year-old could be in line to make his NHL debut tomorrow against the Canadiens and his older brother Kirby Dach. Chicago had a full active roster, so winger Joey Anderson was reassigned to Rockford in a corresponding transaction after clearing waivers last month.
The Blackhawks selected Dach 62nd overall in the 2021 draft, two years after they made Kirby the third overall selection but one year before they traded the latter to the Canadiens. The former captain of the Western Hockey League’s Kelowna Rockets is now in his second season of professional hockey, and he’s looking far more settled into his role with Rockford.
Dach’s rookie AHL season wasn’t bad by any means, but it was marred by injuries. Limited to 48 games in part due to an ankle injury, he posted 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points.
This year has been healthier and thus more productive for Dach. He’s played in all 30 games for Rockford and is second on the team in scoring with 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points, on pace for 60 in 72 games. He won’t hit that games-played threshold as he’s due to miss at least one minor-league contest during this call-up, but it’s still a much-needed step forward early in his development to give him a legitimate shot at turning into a full-time NHLer.
Checking in at 6’4″ and 196 lbs, Dach is a natural center but also has spent a fair amount of time at left wing. If he makes his NHL debut during this recall, he’ll likely slot in at the latter.
Dach still has one year remaining after this one on his entry-level contract, so he’s locked in at an $825K cap hit for his NHL recalls through 2025-26. He won’t be eligible for arbitration upon reaching restricted free agency in 2026.
Anderson was never sent to Rockford after clearing waivers on Dec. 9, but since he’s been rostered for fewer than 30 days and played in less than 10 games since the waiver placement, he doesn’t need them again to head down to the AHL today. The 26-year-old winger has been a healthy scratch in three straight contests and has just one assist in 18 games this season, coming against the Sharks back on Oct. 17.
It’s been a trying campaign for Anderson, who didn’t receive a qualifying offer from Chicago last summer despite recording a career-high 17 points in 55 games. Nonetheless, he still returned to the Blackhawks on a two-year, $1.6MM deal immediately after hitting unrestricted free agency.