Morning Chirps: IceHogs opening night roster set, big night for Blackhawks prospects

It’s a big day in the Windy City as the Chicago Blackhawks open the home portion of their Centennial season. Many fans will likely watch the Chicago Cubs' winner-take-all playoff game on their cell phones at the United Center. We’ll have a full game preview for you after morning skate, as well as plenty of postgame thoughts.

Blackhawks Chirps

• If you’re heading to the United Center for tonight’s game against the Montreal Canadiens, be sure to get there early. The red carpet ceremony on Madison St. will kick off the Blackhawks’ Centennial celebration. Not only will this year’s team be introduced, but over 50 alumni will be on hand too, including Chris Chelios, Corey Crawford, and Jeremy Roenick. Pat Foley will host the pregame ceremony starting at 5:45. Head over to the Blackhawks site for all the details on today’s festivities.

• The Rockford IceHogs have released their opening night roster, which includes Ethan Del Mastro, who was reassigned Friday morning. They open their season tonight against the Milwaukee Admirals.

• David St. Louis of Elite Prospects had an interesting breakdown of Anton Frondell’s recent hot streak. This great read includes some video of his skating, offensive instincts, and physicality.

• Speaking of 2025 first-round picks, Vaclav Nestrasil scored a hat trick last night to lead UMass to a 4-1 win over Stonehill. He has four goals in his three NCAA games.

•  John Mustard scored his first goal of the season in Providence College’s 5-1 loss to Michigan University.

• Parker Holmes picked up his first two points of the season, with a goal and an assist in the Brantford Bulldogs’ 6-0 blowout of the Sudbury Wolves.

• On this date in 1980, Denis Savard scored his first NHL goal in a 5-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

• Four years later, Eddie Olczyk made his NHL debut and scored his first goal in a 7-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at the Chicago Stadium.

• In 1990, Roenick netted the first hat trick of the 1990-91 NHL season to lead the Blackhawks to a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

NHL Chirps

• Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood practiced on Saturday. However, head coach Jared Bednar revealed that Blackwood isn’t quite ready to return and is uncertain if he’ll travel with the team on their upcoming road trip.

• The Nashville Predators activated prospect Matthew Wood from injured reserve and reassigned him to the AHL. If he’s healthy enough, he’ll be in the lineup for the Admirals in Rockford tonight.

• New York Islanders forward Jonathan Drouin has been suspended one game for cross-checking Connor Dewar of the Penguins.

• The NHL changed the start time for Monday’s game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings from a 3 pm start to a 1 pm puck drop. The change was made because the Blue Jays will be hosting Game 2 of the American League Championship Series that evening. The Maple Leafs will allow fans to stay in the Scotiabank Arena and watch the game on the scoreboard.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Oct. 11: Art Gagne, Grant Warwick, Jim Morrison, Shawn Chambers, Claude Lapointe, Jason Arnott, Justin Falk, Marc Del Gaizo, and Alexis Lafreniere.