FIRST STAR:D Ian Mitchell, Denver Pioneers (NCAA)THE NUMBERS: 2 GP, 1 G, 0 A
The Blackhawks haven't been shy about drafting defenseman, entrusting the future of the blueline to Henri Jokiharju, Adam Boqvist and Nicolas Beaudin. But don't forget about Ian Mitchell, Chicago's 2017 second-round pick. Mitchell began his sophomore season at Denver this week, opening his account with a goal against Air Force in a 4-1 win. The Pioneers are 2-0-0 and the #9 team in the country with Mitchell leading the way on defense, as he looks to build on a 30-point freshman campaign (2 G, 28 A) in 2017-18.
SECOND STAR:RW MacKenzie Entwistle, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)THE NUMBERS: 10 GP, 6 G, 4 A
Acquired through the Marian Hossa trade in the 2018 offseason, MacKenzie Entwistle impressed during training camp in Chicago before returning to his junior team. All he's done since is average a point per game for Hamilton and earn a three-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks. A third-round pick of the Coyotes in 2017, Entwistle capped off his big week with a spot on team Canada in the upcoming CIBC Canada-Russia Series and a goal in Hamilton's 7-6 win over Owen Sound on Wednesday. Not bad for a 19 year-old.
THIRD STAR:C Dylan Sikura, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)THE NUMBERS: 4 GP, 1 G, 3 A
The IceHogs returned to Rockford for their home opener this week in need of a spark following an 0-2-0 start to the season. Enter Dylan Sikura. The Northeastern product has collected three power-play assists this season, adding to his total in wins over the Texas Stars and Hershey Bears. With the IceHogs deadlocked 3-3 in the third period against Texas, Sikura fired home the game-winner for his first goal of the season. He added an assist on the power play in Rockford's 5-2 win over the Bears on Sunday, moving him into a tie with his older brother Tyler Sikura for the team lead in power-play points.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
D Adam Boqvist, London Knights (OHL): The Blackhawks first-round pick in 2018, Boqvist has notched four assists in seven games with London, playing in his first season on North American ice.
ROCKFORD REPORT:
The IceHogs rebounded from an 0-2-0 start to the season with a perfect homestand. Wins over Texas and Hershey came in complete team efforts, as 11 different players scored goals for Rockford during their first four games of the 2018-19 season. With the Sikura brothers leading the power play, Rockford will head to the desert for a two-game road series with the Tuscon Roadrunners.
