Blackhawks prospect Nick Schmaltz named NCHC Player of the Month

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Patrick Kane isn't the only Blackhawks forward putting together a nice streak.

Chicago prospect Nick Schmaltz was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Player of the Month for November after closing out the month on a career-high seven-game point streak.

The 19-year-old sophomore center registered 15 points (two goals and 13 assists) and a plus-14 rating in eight November games (an average of 1.87 points per game), leading the University of North Dakota to a 6-2-0 record. He led the nation in primary assists (7), even-strength assists (10), assisted on four of the six game-winning goals and recorded four multi-point games during the month.

[NBC SHOP: Gear up, Blackhawks fans!]

A first round pick (20th overall) pick by the Blackhawks in 2014, Schmaltz leads the Fighting Hawks with 19 assists and is tied for the team lead with 21 points in 16 games played. His plus-23 rating also leads the nation.

Schmaltz said over the offseason that "I got stronger on pucks and just stronger in my legs," and it's showed as he's on pace to shatter last year's point total of 26, which he accumulated in 28 total games.

The Blackhawks know what kind of offensive upside Schmaltz brings to the table, but he's clearly elevated his game to another level and has so far displayed consistency on offense that has been a concern in the past.

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