Blackhawks training games have a positive effect on players

Every training camp in the league is run differently, with different coaches and managers. Everyone involved in a training camp has their own experiences and backgrounds gained from learning the game, including applying what they have learned and experienced over the years.

In the case of the Chicago Blackhawks, Luke Richardson and his colleagues are trying something interesting this training camp by starting each day with a practice game.

Richardson said: “I think we really enjoyed it, the players looked good and I think they enjoyed it. But I think the management really enjoyed watching and all the pro scouts are here so it was a good chance for them. So we added another 10 minutes today (at the weekend).”

The Blackhawks head coach mentioned that the rules for training camp are strict and they have to manage their time properly for the players. This gives us an understanding of how important it is to the staff to see the players in a game situation and how much of a positive it seems to be for the group to start each day like this.

“We just thought it would be more valuable to all of us and to them if they wanted to keep that pace going,” Richardson also noted. Management, scouts and coaches all get a good feel for the players in game situations and the energy is on the right foot every day. Everyone enjoys playing games and it brings out the competitive spirit.

Richardson also explained, “We asked them to play a little more structured and physical today, work around the summer hockey rules… no hitting… and get ready for some friendlies. I thought that's why the score was lower today and tomorrow we'll try to make up for it. Not that we're opening it up, but trying to create a little more scoring opportunities but also working on our defensive game at the same time.”

The Blackhawks need to improve on both offense and defense after finishing at the bottom of the table in both of the last two seasons. The new additions in the offseason will help with that, but it takes structure and a system at both ends of the ice. A lot of players are coming to a new team and needing to adjust, so this mix of scrimmages leading into practices seems to be a great move by the Blackhawks, and the players seem to like it.

When asked if he was happy to be playing in the practice game, Connor Bedard said: “Yeah, definitely. You just get excited about every game situation… It was a really good pace and a lot of fun to get into it. I'm looking forward to the next game tomorrow.”

As Richardson said, he thinks the players look good and he likes starting each day with on-ice practice. It's a good place to start and gets everyone more involved in the game. The pace will only increase as more cuts are made and the clear contenders for the final roster spots emerge. Since it seems to be working well for everyone, I don't think the early practice game is going away anytime soon either.

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