FEATURE: Korchinski, Allan Building Chemistry in Seattle

After playing against each other numerous times growing up in the Saskatchewan U18 AAA and junior leagues, Blackhawks first-round draft picks Kevin Korchinski and Nolan Allan are beginning to build a bond that could pay dividends for years to come in Chicago.
The duo made an initial connection over the summer at Blackhawks development camp, and now are teammates twice over -- with Allan joining Korchinski and the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds in a trade from the Prince Albert Raiders in early November. Since the trade, they continue to show how well they work together and on and off the ice.
"[When we joined] that camp for the Blackhawks we got to know each other better," Korchinski said. "Once he was traded here it's been awesome just getting a really good player and a good guy. Being [defensive] partners with him this year has been awesome. We've been building chemistry and we work well together."

The two have been a defensive pairing in Seattle since the trade took place. Korchinski, a two-way defenseman, has produced 28 points (3G, 25A) in 21 games this season, whereas the more physical and defensively-minded Allan recorded 14 points (5G, 9A) in 23 games between his two teams this season.

Although he found it challenging to leave Prince Albert, Allan was excited for a new opportunity with Seattle and the chance to play with another prospect in the same pipeline.
"Not a lot of players that are drafted to the same team also play on the same junior team," Allan said. "So, getting to know Kevin throughout the summer and at the Blackhawks camps is great and now getting to play with him is pretty cool, too."
With their two different playing styles, Allan felt that their attributes together complement each other and plays a big role in what makes them work so well together.
Blackhawks Assistant General Manager, Player Development Mark Eaton noted that with Allan, who was taken No. 32 overall in 2021, as a more defensive-minded player in the pairing, it can help Korchinski create more offensive chances. With Allan's bigger presence, it allows the No. 7 overall pick in 2022 to play with more space.
"I think they've gelled and played well together," Eaton said. "Nolan is a bigger body and has a little more physicality to his game. So, he can give Kevin that kind of sense of protection out there and Nolan can create room for him to do his thing and they're both great skaters."
One of the key takeaways that the 6-foot-1 Korchinski took from the Blackhawks camp was how his defensive skills can help him produce more offense.
"If you dig in defensively the offense will come and you'll just be in the offensive zone more," Korchinski said. "I guess this year I've treated it as a job and tried to make sure that every area is covered, and it's been awesome for me."

Eaton noted that Korchinski's strong ability to read checks and make the right plays a majority of the time that allows him to be successful. Even when he can't make a play right away, he can still create his own passing lane and make his own options.
If he can continue to make his plays with the puck and not be held to certain limits, there is simply nothing he can't do.
"He can try things to see really what his ceiling is and what he's capable of," Eaton said. "I think that's the most important part is not telling him a ceiling or putting a ceiling on him and just let him figure out how high he could go because I think sky's the limit with him."
To help his game this season, the 6-foot-2 Allan worked on his puck moving skills to enhance his chances of making the NHL.
"Just playing at that NHL pace," Allan said. "Just moving the puck quick and getting pucks up in the forehand. I think if you play that way in in juniors, it'll help you out in the long run of trying to make the NHL."

Eaton raved about the improvement he has seen from Allan with the way he can continue to build the quick transition while still killing a lot of plays defensively.
"He's really improved his game this year and being steady defensively as he has been in the past but now showing that quick puck moving ability to make the make the efficient play to go right from defense to offense," Eaton said.
Not only have the two become teammates in Seattle, they both were named to the final roster for Team Canada at the 2023 World Juniors tournament, which begins on Dec. 26 in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick. The pair is also joined fellow Blackhawks prospects Colton Dach and Ethan Del Mastro on a Chicago-centric Canadian roster.

They both received the call in early December to take part in selection camp and were named to the final roster just last week. For Allan, it's still a dream come true.
"It was pretty exciting to get the news that you're going to Team Canada camp," Allan said. "You always dream of that so it's very exciting to get that."
The two will make their tournament debut as early as Dec. 26 when Canada faces Czechia at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.
"It's an honor obviously whenever you can put that jersey on and represent your country it is a huge honor and a huge privilege," Korchinski said. "Getting that phone call that would be invited to the camp, it was really special, and it meant so much to me."