From Gold Medal to AHL All-Star: Ethan Del Mastro Could Be a Big Part of the Blackhawks' Rebuild

Ethan Del Mastro's on-ice play shows that he has the tools and capabilities of being a versatile modern-day defenseman, leading to his rise in the Blackhawks system. A former captain with the OHL's Mississauga Steelheads, Del Mastro's poise on and off the ice makes him a strong presence on every blue-line he's been a part of. He's not hesitant to throw his body on the ice either, and does so effectively when defending the rush into his own zone.

As he plays his debut season with the Rockford IceHogs, Del Mastro continues to prove his offensvie showing in juniors was not a fluke. With 26 points in 50 AHL games, Del Mastro currently sits fifth on the IceHogs in scoring while also leading all defensemen. His strong play in Rockford resulted in an appearance at the AHL All-Star Game as a rookie defenseman.

What really separates Del Mastro from other defensemen in the Blackhawks pipeline is his ability to play both the left and right side. So many of the Blackhawks young blue-liners are left-handed, with Sam Rinzel and Louis Crevier being the only two right-shot defenders with legitimate NHL potential. Del Mastro has primarily played on the right side this season in Rockford alongside Nolan Allan, making his performance that much more impressive. His ability to play both sides while also being an all-situations player for the IceHogs makes Del Mastro a reliable option on the back-end as he scratches the surface of his professional career.