For Coach Nightingale, the off-ice approach is new, but allowed him excellent access to interact with prospects that he may be coaching in the near future.
“I think my first year here we were on the ice four years ago. It’s a different approach but you hit on a lot of things. The mental skills, more talk and a lot of team bonding and team building stuff. It’s neat. It’s all abut the relationships and getting to know everybody.”
Both Spellacy and Vanacker concluded their seasons last April and May skating with the IceHogs and participating in practices.
“I was in Rockford about three weeks and it was a great experience”, said Vanacker. “All the guys, staff and facilities were great. Just to spend time with them and practice and learn their ways around the rink is pretty special. They are professional players and I’m trying to pick up things from them.”
Spellacy joined the IceHogs at a similar time following the conclusion of his OHL campaign.
“It was awesome. Obviously just getting there and seeing the facilities and meeting all the guys and getting on the ice was a nice perspective getting up to the AHL and I learned a lot.”
Where this group of prospects will play their next hockey is yet to be seen, but it’s clear that the relationships and connections molded this week will only have a positive impact on the IceHogs and Blackhawks in the years to come.