How A.J. Spellacy is impressing at the Blackhawks 2026 Prospect Showcase

There are plenty of prospects at the Chicago Blackhawks 2026 Prospect Showcase that are garnering attention, including forward A.J. Spellacy.

He has impressed fans and management before, even dating back to 2024.

And during the prospect showcase, the 20 year old is standing out to his teammates and staff yet again.

It was thought, going into the prospect showcase and training camp, that Spellacy would be vying for a Blackhawks spot. The Blackhawks have a lot of relentless, feisty bottom-six forwards in their pipeline, but he has been able to separate himself.

What they're saying about Spellacy

As new Blackhawks forward Cole Smith said during his media availability this summer, finding a niche in your game is important, and Spellacy has seemingly found his. The coaches can picture a future role for him.

Rockford IceHogs head coach Jared Nightingale, who has been leading the prospect practices, said about Spellacy on Sept. 11, "He's got a high ceiling. We're excited. I know a lot about him. He's been in the system, and watched him in juniors and the World Juniors. He's a north-south, like tough-to-play- against forechecker. If he's at this level, he'll be a penalty killer... being a thorn in the side of the opponent, especially a defenseman.

"He really takes care of himself with his conditioning and his physicality. Another high-character individual. That's what's fun about coaching: when you have kids that are humble and want to get better. But yeah, he's unique. He's a selfless player, and yeah, he'll be a big piece to the forecheck and the penalty kill."

It's not just the coach's words. His name also keeps coming up at the showcase among his teammates. Sacha Boisvert was asked who stood out to him on Sept. 11; he replied, "Probably, like Spellacy... obviously he's really fast, like you can see him... He's a power forward, takes the puck to the net, and it's fun to watch."

Spellacy and Boisvert have been a fun duo, skating a lot together in practice. They will be playing on the top line with Ryan Roobroeck in their first prospect game against the St. Louis Blues on Sept. 14.

He has been a thorn in the side of one defenseman. Taige Harding was asked about forwards in the showcase he has to look out for, and he said, "I think Spellacy. He's on my wall every single time coming full speed, so you gotta be ready for him."

How Spellacy's game can develop

Spellacy knows he excels at the physical, hard-working, penalty kill-type of role. But he spoke about working on other details to help him fight for a spot, "I think just plays with the puck. I think that's a huge thing. You need to be good with the puck, and obviously I can skate and play physical, but just making those little plays, picking up pucks off the wall, you know, getting to the net, just being good around the net, getting to the dirty areas, and being able to finish plays."

When it comes to NHL role models, Tom Wilson (Washington Capitals) is someone Spellacy mentioned as someone he looks up to.

Nightingale mentioned Wilson's name when describing what he's seen from Spellacy: "Yeah, it's pretty much what you've heard about him. High character. I know they compare him to Tom Wilson. I think very similar style if he makes it. Obviously, Tom Wilson is a special, special player. But he finishes his checks. He's fast, doesn't tire out. And yeah, I followed him from afar. I know he's from Cleveland. We have mutual friends, and I'd watch him at World Juniors. He had a big part in that team. So, he's a great prospect. I think those players are rare with that size and defensive habits, and being a thorn in the side to play against. He's going to be a good piece for us."

He's entering his first pro season after completing four seasons in the OHL and is far from a finished product. But there seems to be a consensus on what he could be.

Now, he has even more opportunities to show it in the two prospect games and at training camp.

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