I spoke with Blackhawks forward prospect Paul Ludwinski back in the spring when he was working out in Rockford. He was the “other guy” the Blackhawks drafted with the two picks they received from Ottawa in the 2022 NHL Draft as part of the Alex DeBrincat trade, and had a rough, up-and-down post-draft season in which he dealt with some physical limitations.
Ludwinski suffered a concussion during last year’s prospect showcase games against Minnesota that delayed the start of his season with Kingston in the OHL. Late in the season he suffered an ankle injury that took him off the ice completely for some time. He still signed his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks and reported to Rockford late in the season, but wasn’t able to skate because of his ankle issue. Coming back from that wasn’t easy, but Ludwinski was able to focus on other elements of his training.
“I’d say [the tough part of rehab was] a lot mental,” Ludwinski told me after practice on Thursday. “Hockey’s the game we love and we want to play every day if possible. But for two or three months it was hard on the mental side. Thinking if I’ll ever be back at 100 percent, will I be better will I be worse. Other than that, the fact I couldn’t skate and can’t train legs in the gym either [was hard]. It was taxing but I made the most of it in Rockford. I did rehab with their trainers there made the most of it. Got stronger upper body and I came back feeling better.”
The good news is Ludwinski arrived at development camp in Chicago feeling like he was finally back to normal with his legs. He told me he spent a lot of time in Rockford working with their trainers to strengthen his upper body, especially focusing on his shoulders. That work has paid dividends now that he’s on the ice with the Blackhawks prospects this week. He feels stronger and more physically mature when battling for pucks and fighting though contact.
Ludwinski was another one of the prospects who spoke highly about the off-ice development camp this summer. Every player I spoke with talked about how the chemistry the players developed off the ice is translating into a stronger sense of unity now that they’re on the ice. Feeling 100 percent is big for Ludwinski as he works to show the organization what he can do, but enjoying the guys he’s working with also goes a long way in helping the prospects perform at their highest level. And he told me he likes how it will eventually help the organization in the future as well.
“I liked [development camp] a lot,” he said. “Most people liked it because we’re building relationships with guys. For a young team coming up together, building those relationships now. We’ll come up together and get stronger and we’ll be a scary team in a couple years.
“You always want to not only play with the best but also practice with the best because they make you better on the ice, too. It’s fun seeing those guys, preparing yourself to play against them and pushing them to be better while they push you to be better. I find we’re all feeding off each other and we’re getting better one step at a time.”
In practices, Ludwinski has been working at center, largely with Gavin Hayes and Samuel Savoie. That could be a fun, fast, physical line in the scrimmages this weekend against the Blues and Wild prospects. Hayes is coming off a terrific offensive season and Savoie is a physical forward who reminds us all of Andrew Shaw. Each has unique skills they bring to the table, and Ludwinski centering the line will add some skill and speed to the group.
His goal for camp is to show the organization that he’s got what it takes to make the NHL. He won’t be heartbroken if he gets sent back to junior; with the Blackhawks’ depth at forward and his age — Ludwinski won’t turn 20 until April — he isn’t eligible to play in the AHL yet. But he’s working to show well in preseason games and would love to be on the ice in Pittsburgh when the NHL season begins.
Ludwinski’s mindset in camp is to go all-in. After a tough season dealing with physical limitations, he’s excited to show them what he can do. And he’s been encouraged to put it all out there by the coaches.
“[The coaches told me to] be myself,” he said. “Don’t dip my toe in the water, jump in. Don’t wait for it to come to me. Attack the game. Be F1. Be fast. Play with pace. Work your hardest and be a difference maker every game even if not on the scoresheet make an impact.”
He has the skill and speed to be a difference-maker this weekend and into his professional career. This weekend is his first chance with a pro contract to show the Blackhawks that he’s ready for the next step in his career.
