Blackhawks prospect who refused to sign with the organization will make NHL debut against Chicago Thursday
Photo credit: NHL.com
A former Blackhawks prospect who refused to sign with the organization will make his NHL debut against Chicago tonight.
The Chicago Blackhawks will face the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight for the Hawks' first game since Sunday.
Connor Bedard and his team will need to be on the lookout against a hungry Lightning team that only has one win so far this season.
Jon Cooper, who signed a contract extension in Tampa Bay during the offseason, would certainly like to get out of the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings.
Ahead of the game, the Lightning announced that they called up a former Chicago Blackhawks prospect to help them against the Hawks.
Former Blackhawks Prospect Dominic James To Make NHL Debut In Chicago Tonight
Dominic James, a sixth-round pick drafted by the Hawks in 2022, left Chicago during the offseason as a free agent.
Julien BriseBois signed him to a two-year entry-level contract during the summer, and tonight will be a full-circle moment for the 23-year-old forward.
He opened up in a recent interview:
"Looking at my future and looking at the opportunity to jump right into the NHL, whether it was right into the NHL or to see a path for myself, was huge for me. And I think Julien really made me feel confident in that."
"My friends are all asking me how excited I am, and I'm excited, but I think that's just the next step for me. I always thought this would happen, and a lot of guys who do that believe in themselves. So, yeah, definitely, I'm really excited to play tonight."
"My friends are all asking me how excited I am, and I'm excited, but I think that's just the next step for me. I always thought this would happen, and a lot of guys who do that believe in themselves. So, yeah, definitely, I'm really excited to play tonight."
Jon Cooper also shared his thoughts about his latest lineup addition:
"Competitive kid. He brings a lot of life. He can skate at this pace and made an impression in training camp. I remember our last (preseason) game, we were short some players, he had to play D for half the game. And then he went down to the American League and excelled."
About what he can bring to the team, James listed his speed and confidence as his main assets:
"I think I want to bring that speed that I played with in preseason and just play with confidence. I think I can play with the puck and anything I can do to help win. Obviously, everything is better when you win. So if I just use my feet a lot like I've been doing in the (AHL), I think I'll be successful."
The center tallied five points, including three goals, in four games with the Syracuse Crunch this season so far.
The puck is set to drop at 6:45 p.m. ET.
Stay tuned for more.
Previously on Hawks Insider
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 23 | 102 ANSWERS Blackhawks prospect who refused to sign with the organization will make NHL debut against Chicago Thursday Do you think Dominic James will spend the rest of the season in the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 28 | 27.5 % |
| No | 74 | 72.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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