With a pair of moves Thursday, the Chicago Blackhawks advanced the development of a couple of high-profile prospects, signing forward AJ Spellacy and calling up defenseman Ethan Del Mastro from the AHL Rockford IceHogs.
The Hawks also placed forward Craig Smith (back) on injured reserve.
Spellacy signed a three-year, entry-level contract that carries a $975,000 salary-cap hit. A third-round draft pick last summer, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound forward stood out in training camp before being sent back to the OHL Windsor Spitfires.
The 18-year-old Spellacy recorded 11 goals and 14 assists in 40 games for the Spitfires and improved from a minus-22 rating last season to plus-2. He also was named an alternate captain.
Spellacy lasted longer in training camp than most first-timers because of a “great camp,” Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson said in September.
“Give him another look as we get closer to the real thing and bigger, fuller lineups and give him that experience before he heads back,” Davidson said. “He’s a big guy, skates well. He looks good here in the NHL.”
Del Mastro, 22, was regarded as a high-potential prospect but had been waiting in the wings in Rockford while teammates such as Wyatt Kaiser and Nolan Allan got nods from the Hawks.
Kaiser was reassigned to Rockford later Thursday. He had a goal, two assists and a minus-3 rating in 35 games with the Hawks.
At 15-28-4, the second-worst record in the league, the Hawks appear to be making moves to push progress for their future foundation.
The 6-4, 205-pound Del Mastro, a 2021 fourth-round pick, first opened eyes with a seven-goal, 30-assist season at Rockford in 2023-24. He played in his first two NHL games at the end of the Hawks season.
Del Mastro started this season back in Rockford and posted eight assists in 38 games.
“Some of the things we’ve asked him to work on is his gaps and his defense,” Hawks interim coach Anders Sorensen said Thursday. “Especially his defensive play has improved a lot.
“His ability to move pucks up the ice is something that he’s done a lot better, quicker with his decision-making in those areas. It’s been good.”
Del Mastro will reunite with recent call-ups Allan, Frank Nazar and Colton Dach, and his first opportunity to play comes Friday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center.