When Cole Guttman scored his first NHL goal on Feb. 19 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the first person to celebrate him was none other than Ian Mitchell. Before the two shared the ice together in Chicago, they spent two seasons together at the University of Denver, with Mitchell as Guttman's captain in 2019-20.

With eight minutes to go in the third period, the Blackhawks were tied with the Maple Leafs 3-3. After snagging a goal off the boards from a missed shot by Toronto, Guttman took the puck to the back of the net to put the Blackhawks up 4-3. Immediately after, Mitchell rushed to his side to rejoice with him.

"I looked up and saw him and really couldn't have drawn that up better," Guttman said of seeing Mitchell right after his goal. "I've been through a lot with that guy, so it was nice to celebrate with him."
 

When Reese Johnson made his first appearance at The Bloc, a boxing gym for young students on the West Side of Chicago, he thought he would put on a pair of boxing gloves and work with some students on their jabbing skills. However, that wasn't the case, as he and other members of the Blackhawks staff painted classrooms as part of the organization's city-wide day of service to kick off the 2022-23 season.

From there, Johnson knew he wanted to be apart of something more. 

After being named an alternate captain before the season began, Seth Jones is beginning to not only make his impact on the ice but in the Blackhawks locker room as well. 

A self-described softer-spoken member of the leadership group, a main goal of his this season was to work on becoming more vocal and speaking up in critical moments. 

"I try to be a little more vocal this season throughout the lineup," Jones said. "I'm never going to be over-the-top vocal, but I'll be talking every time someone needs to say something, but I think there is a time and a place, and I've been trying to do a little bit more."
 

Editor's Note: This story was originally published on Dec. 25, 2020 and has been updated

When Fred Sasakamoose passed away recently, his remarkable saga resonated throughout the hockey community. Although he only played briefly with the Blackhawks, Sasakamoose defined a path to the National Hockey League for numerous Indigenous men, a legacy that justly elevated him to hero status in the First Nation.

"A trail blazer for our people," praised Jordin Tootoo, whose extensive NHL tenure ended with the Blackhawks during the 2016-17 season. "I had a nice career, and loved Chicago, where the younger of our two daughters, Avery, was born. I met Fred, and was awed just to be in his presence. Humble, great spirit, led by example.

Native American tribes are facing a challenge: keeping their native language, alive for future generations. For the Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma, there are just three people alive today that are fluent in their Sauk language, one that has been at the heart of the tribe for generations.

Katie Thompson, the tribe's language director, is trying to change that. 

With the help of the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation and Native-owned Thornton Media, Thompson and other members of the Sac and Fox tribe are nearing the launch of an educational app that will not only teach the Sauk language, but keep it alive. 

I met Marian Hossa 18 years ago during the NHL lockout in 2004, when he was playing with the Ottawa Senators. That season, he stayed in Europe, so we had a chance to get to know each other and spent a lot of time together. At the time, I didn't know much about his career or the NHL. The next NHL season, we left together for the U.S.  

I had no idea what it would be like to live with a professional athlete. He was dedicated to hockey 100% -- always focused and ready. He was never late for practice and would never skip a meeting or anything. Even during the summer as he was getting ready for the upcoming season, practicing twice a day, I tried to convince him to skip a practice here and there and do something fun, but I didn't have a chance. He was always so responsible and dedicated.

I believe that was a huge part of his success: determination, hard work, accountability and organization. On and off the ice.

Saturday is a historic day for the Sac & Fox Nation of Oklahoma.  

As part of the tribe's annual Powwow, taking place on their current-day reservation in Stroud, Okla., a decommissioned Black Hawk helicopter -- named by the U.S. Army nearly 50 years ago in honor of Sauk leader Black Hawk -- will be unveiled as a permanent monument at the Sac & Fox war memorial. 

"In a sense, it's coming home," explained Rickey Cline Sr., a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Sac & Fox tribe member. "To get to have it roost here as its final resting place and something that we can reflect on, it's very proud and honorable for our veterans -- not only our veterans but all the veterans in general."

Jim Pappin, a prolific goal scorer for seven seasons with the Blackhawks, has died. He was 82.

Pappin joined the Blackhawks on March 23, 1968, in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who acquired Pierre Pilote, a future Hall of Fame defenseman. Pilote had won consecutive Norris Trophies in 1963, '64 and '65 but played only one more season before retiring, while Pappin emerged as a productive right wing in Chicago.

Upon Pappin's arrival to the Blackhawks, Coach Billy Reay rearranged lines. Chico Maki moved to center for Bobby Hull and Eric Nesterenko with Pit Martin at center for Dennis Hull and Pappin. Thus, the MPH Line was formed, and it remained one of the best in the National Hockey League for several years.

Hockey bags once slung over shoulders fell to the ground as old friends and teammates hugged each other, smiles stretched across their faces. Even injured teammates in knee braces strolled through the doors of Fifth Third Arena to join the experience as women of ranging ages lined up to take their professional headshots with their tie-dye jerseys before heading off to their specified locker rooms. There it sat, right next to the Blackhawks hockey stick throne and logo: a large, shining silver trophy with "Breaking Barriers" emblazoned on the bottom. 

Yet, as coveted as it was, the trophy was not the players' main priority for the weekend, nor that of the Blackhawks organization. Rather, the inaugural Breaking Barriers Tournament held this past weekend--which just so happened to overlap with the 50th anniversary of Title IX and Chicago's Pride weekend--was focused on the growth of women's hockey and celebrating the community it provides for women of all different backgrounds and skill levels. 

If you want to know what type of coach the Blackhawks are getting in Luke Richardson, just ask a fan-favorite who played for the now-53-year-old bench boss during his time in Montreal.

"Honestly, when I heard that they were asking for permission to talk to him (for the role), I was hoping that they would (hire) him," said Andrew Shaw, a member of the Canadiens in 2018-19 during Richardson's first season as an assistant there. "I've seen it, being a player underneath him, how good of a coach he can be... I loved my experience with him. I thought it was awesome. I thought he was awesome."