The two forwards currently have over 30 points each through 32 games with the IceHogs and rank within the top three scorers for the team. They're high-level of scoring helped Rockford rank second in the Central Division of the American Hockey League and will both play in Friday's contest against the Arizona Coyotes.
With his first call up to Chicago in his career, Seney hopes he can make a positive impact by helping the team get back on the right track. With a winning team in Rockford, it allows him to focus on building his own strengths rather than who they are going against.
"You look at kind of what we're doing in Rockford and when you're winning, it's easy to kind of play more free and not worry too much about what the other teams doing," Seney said. "[You can] just focus on your own game. When your team's doing well and you're doing well, individually, I think it kind of helps when you come up and you can kind of play confident."
The German forward made his Blackhawks debut this season back on Dec. 6 against the New Jersey Devils where he logged a minus-one and close to 14 minutes of ice time. He stated he felt good following the matchup even if it went by quicker than expected. Although, he felt like he has grown since the start of the season, he knows he can grow stronger in other areas.
"I think I'm stronger and I can use my body more to win some more stick battles and still be creative," Reichel said.
After being sent back down to Rockford before the start of the regular season, Reichel felt he worked hard over the summer to help his game progress to the NHL level. However, he understood the decision to go back with the IceHogs to strength his style of playing by playing a more patient game.
With many organizations facing the pressure of playing their first-round draft picks, head coach Luke Richardson sees no issue with having players develop in the prospect system. For Reichel, he wants to see more growth within his defensive game with more consistency and physicality to become a two-way player.
"They want to play so [badly], but they still have to learn a little bit," Richardson said. "And I think coming up from junior, or college and minor hockey, they're always the star. They don't really have to learn since they're that much better and it's so easy for them. It's a transition period for them."
Seney, who is making his fourth stint in the NHL, understands the challenges of moving up and down between different systems. But, sticking to your game as a player and showcasing the confidence will make the transition process easier.
"It's always a challenge to jump up to this level, but I think it's just kind of not changing my game and not thinking too much about who you're out against or who you're playing with. It's just kind of staying in your own lane and playing your game and playing confident."
