When a player gets sent down to the AHL, it shouldn’t always be seen as a demotion. Sure, there won’t be a Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon in the AHL, but it’s still a professional league with its own challenges.
Most of all, it’s a chance for a skater to find their rhythm again before returning to the NHL. Defenseman Sam Rinzel went through the first step of being sent to Rockford, now he’s flowing in step two — finding his groove again.
In three games played with the IceHogs, Rinzel has skated on the top power-play unit and has set up his teammates for goals, just like he did to start the 2025-26 Chicago Blackhawks season. He has become more decisive with the puck and it’s helping everyone around him.
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The defenseman has four points through three games in Rockford. On Friday against the Milwaukee Admirals, he had three non-primary assists.
He’s getting comfortable with his play, but he’s also still adjusting to being in Rockford. It will come with time, just like any roster move.
“It’s different, like any kind of change in scenery,” Rinzel said. “I’m trying to get used to the play style and how it is here and whatnot.”
He’s on a different squad, but he still has a talented group of defensemen around him. Kevin Korchinski and Nolan Allan are improving skaters who are getting better with each game.
“Everyone’s good, (this is) a good league,” Rinzel said. “(I’m) happy to see them succeed.”
Rinzel was sent to Rockford on Dec. 8 after a lackluster showing with the Hawks, scoring eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 28 games. Hawks coach Jeff Blashill wanted him to “get his swagger with the puck back” with the IceHogs.
He’s been focused on improving his game overall. His talent is unquestioned after his college career at Minnesota, but sometimes it takes some extra time.
“Coming from college, (I’m) learning to adapt a little bit,” Rinzel said. “I have to play a little differently on defense than what I’m used to.
“(It’s) using my brain a little more (and) using my smarts instead of trying to wrap and pin guys. I want to kill plays (and) do it quick, but (it’s) just getting a little smarter. I have a good brain and good IQ to do it.”
The Hawks recently recalled Nick Lardis, Ethan Del Mastro and Dominic Toninato from Rockford. They’ve all said how time with the IceHogs makes players better.
“I think it’s good, especially for young guys,” the veteran Toninato said. “When you’re young, you want to play (but) the pro game is different from wherever you come from.
“Learning that pro game, learning the pro lifestyle (is) what you got to bring every day. They get a lot of minutes down there being in key situations, a lot of ice time (and) a lot of touches.”
Added Del Mastro: “When you’re a younger guy, (you’re) able to kind of work on your skills down there (with) the staff behind you and all of them working on you. It’s a little bit easier there, for sure.”
It’s unclear when Rinzel will return to the Hawks roster. The defenseman will enjoy the slightly laid-back atmosphere of the AHL while he can.
“(The) guys are unbelievable on their own, they’ve done an unbelievable job,” Rinzel said. “It’s a fun group to be around and it’s fun to laugh and smile.”