Blackhawks veteran eyeing talent at Chicago's prospect camp

The Blackhawks are holding their Prospect Camp from July 17-21 and today a wily Chicago veteran made an appearance to get a look at the team's newest talents.

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HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Blackhawks veteran eyeing talent at Chicago's prospect camp
KEYSTONE PRESS

The Blackhawks are holding their Prospect Camp from July 17-21 and today a wily Chicago veteran made an appearance to get a look at the team's newest talents.


Michal Rozsival, 38, is at the exact opposite end of his career from the players scrambling to prove their worth during their first shot at playing in the NHL. Rozival has 17 seasons of NHL experience playing for 5 teams across his 963 games. With two Stanley Cup rings to show for his time in Chicago, his value on the team extends beyond what he is capable of on the ice.

With a Blackhawks roster in the midst of change, that steady veteran presence could be more valuable than ever. It says something positive about Rozsival that he was willing to show up for a summer event that has no direct bearing on him.

With 45 players attending the prospect camp this week, including 33 Blackhawks draft picks, it's the first step in evaluating which players will be filling out Chicago's 2017/18 roster at the beginning of the season, and who will be playing in the minors.

Rozival is under contract for one more season with the Blackhawks, at the reasonable price of $650k for the 2017/18 season. 

Maybe it's a cathartic move to take a look back at guys who are at the dawning of their careers as he faces the twilight of his own, but more importantly, it's a great team building gesture from a guy who's been around long enough to know how important that can be.

The prospects seem to be getting on well regardless of Rozsibals visit, which is, of course, a great sign for a Blackhawks franchise that has seen more than a few great young talents leave the team recently.

From today's practices, via Scott Powers Twitter:

"Robin Press with a goal:" 

"Raddysh connects with Dahlstrom:"


"Press vs. Iacopelli and Johnson. Keyser in net:"