Chicago Blackhawks coach Jeremey Colliton Key to Dylan Sikura’s NHL Success

Colliton and Sikura

Dylan Sikura, like many former Rockford IceHogs, found himself earning a handful of games with the Chicago Blackhawks at the end of the disastrous season last year. In 5 games in the big leagues, Sikura totaled 3 assists and presented himself as a forward with a lot of promise.

He performed well throughout the AHL playoffs and was thought of as a lock to make the Chicago Blackhawks roster out of training camp this season.

Instead, he was nearly nonexistent during the preseason playing in Q’s system and quickly found himself being sent back to the AHL as a result.

That said, Sikura took the move in stride and played outstanding during his time in Rockford.

Unfortunately, Sikura’s goal scoring streak didn’t carry over into the NHL upon his arrival and he also saw his shot production take an immediate dive. However as his time-on-ice numbers continue to increase along with his number of shifts, he continues to grow and look better.

Last night against the Dallas Stars Sikura registered his second point of the season with the ‘Hawks and it was a big one.

David Kampf won an offensive zone draw to Dylan Sikura. Sikura then left the puck to Alex DeBrincat as he skated in front of him, briefly screening Dallas goaltender Ben Bishop. DeBrincat then proceeded to do what he does best (score goals).

Sikura hasn’t lit up the score sheet by any means, but all you can really ask for is that he continues to grow as a player and gain confidence. Hopefully, Colliton’s experience with him in Rockford can help to foster that growth.

He coached him previously in the same system, so this transition should be easier for him this time around. The hope is that Colliton could make this path easier for more than just him and Dahlstrom.

As we said before, the Blackhawks are going to need more reinforcements coming from within if they want to compete for a Stanley Cup in the near future. Dylan Sikura is Bowman and Colliton’s first chance at proving that they have the right formula together to make that happen.

Want your voice heard? Join the Blackhawk Up team!

Write for us!

Stan Bowman had better hope so, as if Colliton is able to assist in Sikura’s transformation into an NHL player Bowman will look pretty darn good as a result.

If not, Bowman could be running out of places to hide.