Colin Blackwell Made His Prescence Known in His Return to the Blackhawks

It was a long road back to the ice for Colin Blackwell, who made his return to the Blackhawks on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche.

Blackwell underwent sports hernia surgery back on March 22nd and was said to be out 12 weeks, but due to some setbacks during the summer, before training camp, he couldn't make it back on the ice until just recently. Even then it was a surprise to see Blackwell in uniform so fast. Tuesday's contest was his first NHL game since February 27th, 2023 against the Anaheim Ducks.

Blackwell took all of his energy in his return and used it, as he made a huge hit on Nathan MacKinnon with under two minutes to go in the game. While a clean hit from a Blackhawks' perspective, I'm sure some Avs' fans vehemently disagree.

For a Blackhawks team whose season has been bleak, to say the least, it is always nice to have players on your team who play with heart and competitiveness no matter where the team is in the standings.

After the game, Blackwell gave a speech in the locker room and you can get a grasp of what type of player he is just from watching it. A key point he makes is that winning hockey is achieved when everyone plays for each other from puck drop to the end of the game.

Blackwell played 16 minutes and had a total of six hits in Tuesday's win. The Blackhawks will be looking for his physical presence to continue in tonight's contest against the Canadiens .