Blackhawks prospects Kirby Dach and Alexis Gravel were named to rosters by the Canadian Hockey League and their respective leagues for the upcoming CIBC Canada Russia Series. Dach made the Western Hockey League team, while Gravel was selected for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League group.
Dach, who was selected third overall in this year’s NHL draft, is currently with the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, on a conditioning stint as he works his way into game shape after being out since September with a concussion. The 18-year-old forward has nine days and four games remaining on his 14-day conditioning stint before the Blackhawks must recall him or assign him back to the Saskatoon Blades in the WHL.
If the Blackhawks call him up, which all signs point toward them doing, they’ll have him for up to nine NHL games before deciding whether he’ll remain with the team and use the first year of his entry-level contract or send him to Saskatoon for the rest of the season. The WHL will name a replacement if Dach stays with Chicago.
Gravel, a 2018 sixth-round pick, returned from a foot injury earlier this week after missing almost three weeks for the Halifax Mooseheads. He stopped 21 of 23 shots in his first start back Saturday and stopped 49 of 50 shots the next day. Gravel will share the net for the QMJHL with Oilers prospect Olivier Rodrigue.
The CHL teams will also feature several 2020 NHL draft top eligible players, including Alexis Lafrenière (QMJHL Rimouski), Quinton Byfield (OHL Sudbury) and Cole Perfetti (OHL Saginaw).
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2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series Schedule
Game 1: Monday, Nov. 4 at Saint John, NB (QMJHL)
Game 2: Tuesday, Nov. 5 at Moncton, NB (QMJHL)
Game 3: Thursday, Nov. 7 at Kitchener, ON (OHL)
Game 4: Monday, Nov. 11 at London, ON (OHL)
Game 5: Wednesday, Nov. 13 at Saskatoon, SK (WHL)
Game 6: Thursday, Nov. 14 at Prince Albert, SK (WHL)