Rookie van Riemsdyk may play for Blackhawks

CHICAGO – Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville might consider playing rookie defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final against the Anaheim Ducks at United Center on Wednesday (8 p.m., NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports).

The 23-year-old van Riemsdyk, younger brother of Toronto Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk, hasn't played in the NHL since Nov. 16 against the Dallas Stars when he blocked a shot and fractured his left patella (kneecap).

He returned to the ice after surgery for the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League and sustained another major injury. He needed surgery in April to repair his right wrist, ending his AHL season.

Van Riemsdyk skated last week at United Center for the first time since his second injury. Quenneville said van Riemsdyk will participate in the morning skate and didn't rule him out as an option to play against the Ducks, who lead the best-of-7 series 3-2.

"We'll see," Quenneville said Tuesday. "Look forward to talking to him. He skated [Tuesday]. We'll see how he is. He's going to skate with us in the morning."

Van Riemsdyk, who signed with Chicago last summer as a college free agent, had one assist in 18 games with the Blackhawks before his first injury this season.

Chicago defensemen Kyle Cumiskey and Kimmo Timonen combined for 18:54 of ice time in the Blackhawks' 5-4 overtime loss in Game 5 on Monday and have played limited minutes throughout the series.