With a pair of moves, the Chicago Blackhawks advanced the development of a couple of high-profile prospects Thursday, signing forward AJ Spellacy and calling up defenseman Ethan Del Mastro.
The Hawks also placed 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 this summer, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound forward shined in training camp before being sent back to the OHL Windsor Spitfires.
The 18-year-old recorded 11 goals and 14 assists in 40 games for the Spitfires, and he 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. He’s a big guy, skates well,” Davidson said.
“He looks good here in the NHL.”
Del Mastro, 22, had been regarded as a high-potential prospect, but he had been waiting in the wings in Rockford while former teammates such as Wyatt Kaiser and Nolan Allan got their nods from the big club.
At 15-28-4, second-to-last in the league, the Hawks appear to be making moves to push progress for their future foundation.
Del Mastro, a 2021 fourth-round pick (6-4, 205 pounds), first opened eyes with a seven-goal, 30-assist campaign in 2023-24.
He played in his first two NHL games at the tail end of the Hawks’ 2023-24 season. Del Mastro started this season in Rockford and posted eight assists in 38 games.
Hawks interim coach Anders Sorensen said Thursday, “Some of the things we’ve asked him to work on is his gaps and his defense. 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 he gets his first opportunity to play Friday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center.
