Coach Seabrook, Davidson Talks About His Health (and Lots of Other Updates), US vs Canada for Gold, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

The calm before the storm. This is the final Sunday without NFL football until mid-February, and it’s also Labor Day weekend so let’s jump into some news and notes of interest for Blackhawks fans. A couple tweets from a team in Vancouver caught out eye.

  • On Saturday, the Vancouver Giants (WHL) announced former Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook has joined their coaching staff officially. Seabs has been named their Player Development Coach.
  • Seabrook, 37, spent some time behind the bench with the Giants last year. Their coach, Michael Dyck, was coaching at the World Juniors (before the COVID postponement) so Seabrook helped assistant Keith McCambridge.
  • We love seeing Seabrook back on the ice working with the next generation. The Giants are lucky to have a three-time Stanley Cup Champion helping their prospects learn what it takes to be a great NHL player.
  • Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson spoke with Ben Pope at the Chicago Sun-Times and covered a lot of ground.
  • The bulk of Pope’s terrific article focuses on Davidson’s health. He was born with a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and has had multiple open-heart surgeries. Pope does a really nice job of painting the picture of how Davidson has to try to balance the desire/perceived need to work 24/7 as an NHL general manager with the need to take a step back and make sure he’s pacing himself.
  • Pope asked Davidson about Jack Johnson‘s impact on blue line prospects like Alex Vlasic, Alec Regula and Ian Mitchell getting a crack at the NHL. Johnson is the sixth veteran defenseman signed for the coming season, which would seem to complicate the opportunity for younger players who might be ready for a more significant NHL role. “They have to earn their spot, and we believe they’re going to put their best foot forward,” Davidson told Pope.
  • Veteran forward Jujhar Khaira is still TBD for training camp and the start of the season after having back surgery end his 2021-22 season prematurely. And, according to Davidson, Khaira is one of a few players from whom the Blackhawks are waiting for health updates. Connor Murphy also ended the season on IR.
  • Forwards Taylor Raddysh and Boris Katchouk were on Canada’s 2017-18 World Juniors that has been the focus of an investigation by both Hockey Canada and the NHL in the wake of sexual assault allegations against eight players from that team being brought back to light. Davidson said the Blackhawks have been in communication with the league about the investigation and were deferring to the league’s process.
  • Some lucky Kingston fans got a chance to pick up an autograph from Blackhawks’ prospect Paul Ludwinski this weekend. Yeah, they might have been there to meet Shane Wright but Ludwinski’s signature is still a nice one to add to the collection.
  • We love questions on Twitter that have easy answers.
  • The US & Canada will renew their rivalry in the gold medal game at the Women’s World Championships at 12:30 PM CT on NHL Network.
  • Finally, we love prospects succeeding. And getting postseason experience. So when a minor league team clinches a playoff berth, we’re all-in.
  • written by

    Tab Bamford has been writing about the Chicago Blackhawks for almost two decades. He joined Bleacher Nation as the lead Blackhawks writer in May 2022. Tab is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and is the author of two books about the Blackhawks: "100 Things Blackhawks Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" (Triumph Books) and "Chicago Blackhawks: An Illustrated Timeline" (Reedy Press, 2021). Find him on Twitter/X/Instagram/Threads at @The1Tab

    more blackhawks news

    The Greatest Sports Watching Day of the Year, Next Year’s TV, an IceHogs Stunner, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    Congratulations, sports fans! Today, March 28, 2024 is the greatest sports viewing day of the calendar year. Hands down, lock it up, no competition. It's Opening Day in MLB and Sweet 16 day one in the NCAA men's basketball tournament....

    NHL Notes: Penguins Paradox, Torts Apologizes, Doan’s Dazzling Debut, Rangers Punch Ticket, More

    It's a mid-week edition of NHL Notes and we have plenty to cover around the league. The Penguins find themselves with a tricky decision as their season draws to a close. John Tortorella dished out an apology to one of...

    These 3 Blackhawks Veterans Are Having Terrific Seasons

    Entering Thursday night's action, the Chicago Blackhawks have the second-worst point percentage in the NHL -- even while they're 6-4-0 in their last 10 games. And they own the second-worst goal differential in the league (minus-76). It's been a long,...

    We Need to Talk About Jason Dickinson As a Selke Trophy Candidate — Again

    Back in early February as the Blackhawks wrapped their pre-All-Star Game schedule, I wrote about Jason Dickinson's case for Selke Trophy votes. We're now ten games away from the end of Chicago's regular season, and with Dickinson reaching 20 goals...

    Slaggert’s Big Night, Bedard’s Tape, Felcman to Rockford, Anderson, Tinordi, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    I'm gonna continue to smile, just like Landon Slaggert, because of his performance in last night's Blackhawks win. The former Notre Dame captain had his parents and young brother in the stands and he had one helluva game last night....

    Blackhawks 3, Flames 1 — Three Stars, Key Takeaways

    The message Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was trying to get across with Monday's bag skate clearly landed. The start Chicago had on Tuesday night was a polar opposite of what they showed in the three games in California. They...

    Blackhawks vs Flames – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    After a disappointing road trip that saw the Blackhawks get smoked for 7 of 9 periods, the team got a bag skate on Monday to think about their effort. They'll get back on the ice tonight in front of a...

    Happy Birthday Luke, Bag Skate Monday, Bedard vs. Faber, Saturday Cartoons, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    Chicago Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson is celebrating a birthday today. He's celebrating his Korchinski year; today is his 55th birthday. Happy birthday, Luke! Hope you get a win tonight so you can celebrate with some wine. There have been...

    Blackhawks Prospects, Draft Hopefuls Ready for OHL Playoffs

    The Ontario Hockey League playoffs begin this week on Thursday. The Chicago Blackhawks will have five prospects still playing in the OHL postseason: Gavin Hayes (Sault Ste. Marie), Paul Ludwinski (Kingston), Nick Lardis (Brantford), Alex Pharand (Sudbury) and Martin Misiak...

    When Do Blackhawks Prospects Play in the NCAA Tournament?

    On Sunday we learned the Chicago Blackhawks will have six prospects playing in the NCAA men's ice hockey tournament this year. Games on the road to the Frozen Four begin on Thursday. Here's the schedule of games including Blackhawks' prospects...

    Latest News

    Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The Los Angeles Chargers enter the offseason with a new era dawning. After a disappointing season, they landed a marquee hire in Jim Harbaugh, fresh off his national championship win with Michigan. Hailed as the top coaching prospect, Harbaugh brings a...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    Rangers vs. Cubs Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Texas Rangers (0-0) begin their 2024 season with a home game against the Chicago Cubs (0-0) on Thursday, with first pitch at 7:35 PM ET.The Rangers will give the nod to Nathan Eovaldi versus the Cubs and Justin Steele.Rangers...

    Best NBA Prop Bets for Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Boston Celtics versus the Atlanta Hawks is a game to catch on a Thursday NBA slate that includes two thrilling contests.Interested in NBA player prop bets for today's games? This article includes NBA player props for every matchup, so...

    UNC vs Alabama Predictions and Odds: March Madness Best Bets

    We have a great matchup in the Sweet 16 between (1) North Carolina and (4) Alabama. Let's break down the odds, ATS records, and more for UNC vs Alabama as March Madness continues. Read More: Today's schedule and upset picks...

    Seattle Seahawks Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The Seattle Seahawks turn the page on a historic era as they enter the 2024 season without Pete Carroll at the helm for the first time since 2010. Carroll's impact on the franchise is undeniable, crafting a period of sustained...

    Who Is In The Sweet 16? Updated Bracket, Odds to Win, and More

    It has been a great March Madness so far and we have more great matchups in the Sweet 16. Check out what teams are in the Sweet 16, odds, and more as the college basketball season rolls on. Latest March...

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Today’s March Madness Schedule: Updated Bracket, TV Channels for Every Game

    The Sweet 16 is here as March Madness brings us some great matchups tonight! Check out today's March Madness schedule along with game times, TV channels, and more as the college basketball season's biggest games continue. The Sweet 16 Begins...

    2024 MLB Mock Draft: Opening Day Mock Draft Projections

    Happy Opening Day! As the new baseball season begins, and hope is present among most fanbases, why not take a look at a new 2024 MLB Mock Draft? Various mock drafts meticulously analyze potential picks, emphasizing the abundance of talent...

    more blackhawks news