The Chicago Blackhawks recalled defenseman Sam Rinzel from the Rockford IceHogs on January 30 prior to their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The move gave fellow rookie defenseman Artyom Levshunov a favorable break, giving him “an opportunity to reset some fundamentals,” according to head coach Jeff Blashill.
Rinzel returned to the Blackhawks during a rough patch following a current five-game losing streak, but his presence has already yielded positive results.
I had the opportunity to speak with the 21-year-old during practice on February 1 about his recall.
Rinzel’s Blackhawks growth returns
Rinzel started the season with the Blackhawks, playing 28 games and recording eight points. Chicago sent him to the Rockford IceHogs on December 8, where Blashill said in part he needed to get his “swagger” back with the puck.
In Rockford, he recorded 10 points in 19 games as part of their top defensive duo. It had the effect the Blackhawks hoped for.
In his first game against Columbus, he was paired with Wyatt Kaiser, played 22:16 minutes and quarterbacked the top power play unit. He had three shots on target. Blashill praised his play afterward, saying, “I thought Sam played well… I thought he had an impact skate, where he moved the puck with fewer big mistakes than when he left. And I think that’s something we talked about, just to make sure that, you know, at the end of the day you have to judge the positives and the negatives. And it’s really hard when you have a whole bunch of negatives. And I thought today, other than maybe a decision on some kind of late move in the future. o-zone, I thought he played well.”
I asked Rinzel about the message he got from the team when he was sent down. He replied: “A little bit of my defensive game, I’m just working on it; defensive zone and corner battles, and limiting mistakes a little bit, not letting guys get behind me or whatever it is, being on the right side of the puck. Yeah, and then building my confidence a little bit. You know, of course I’m always confident, but being able to play more minutes and everything, I think it’s been good for me, and good for my development.”
He also explained about the Rockford team in general, “They’re a great group of guys.
It’s obviously a different dynamic, you know, it’s a little bit younger there. But the guys are incredible and welcoming to me and whatever it was. But you know, when I got there, I got to know them pretty quickly, and they seemed like guys that I had known for years and had kind of grown up with and been friends with. So I was able to be myself quite quickly from the start. So it was good…’
All of Rockford’s lessons and positive experiences came together at the right time for Rinzel.
After the game against Columbus, he talked about his findings from Rockford. “You know, a lot of things, most of it is the defensive aspect of the game. And then I think just part of it is realizing that 90 percent of the game is just 50/50 shifts. And you know, it’s just about winning those 50/50 shifts. So yeah, nothing has to be flashy or crazy. It’s, I think, just learning to play with my brain and kind of use my brain to beat guys, and whatever it may be.”
Blashill explained about Rinzel’s brain during training: “Well, the one thing we talked about [about] Certainly, and I think you’re always undersized in some way, so whether you’re a little smaller in stature, shorter, or thinner… And again, he definitely hasn’t reached his maximum strength. You have to use your brain. And so the guys are learning, and that’s part of what this whole thing is with our young defensemen, learning what they can get away with, and what they can’t get away with. How they might be able to combat a size difference or strength difference, and that comes with experience. So he’s definitely trying to find those little tricks of the trade that way. No different than Wyatt Kaiser. You know, probably Grizz [Matt Grzelyck] probably learned it over the years. And you know, when you get into those kinds of fights, you often have to use your brain as well as your physical attributes.
Related: Blackhawks’ Artyom Levshunov could benefit from some time in the AHL
Rinzel is a highly touted prospect who they know is a big part of their future. Even though it’s a small sample size with only one game since returning to the NHL, it’s encouraging to see the growth.
It also helps to inject new energy into the lineup. Blashill previously said that last week’s Mother’s Trip “breaks up the monotony of the season.” In the same way you could see the arrival of Rinzel. Someone who is excited to be back, confident and wants to prove themselves. He will be a player to watch with two games to go before the Olympic break.
Rinzel said of his return: “Yeah, obviously excited. You know, anytime you can be in the NHL, it’s an honor and a privilege. I mean, I just want to help the team win. You know, watching from Rockford and everything you see. So yeah, whatever it is, I just want to come and help contribute wherever they need me.”
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