The Blackhawks are calling up top prospect Lukas Reichel and will assign him to the taxi squad in hopes of getting him into NHL game action soon, a source told NBC Sports Chicago on Wednesday morning.
Reichel, 19, was recently named the American Hockey League's player of the week after recording six points (three goals, three assists) in two games. He scored two goals and added two assists in an 8-0 win over the Chicago Wolves on Friday and followed that up with a goal and assist in a 6-2 victory over the Milwaukee Admirals on Saturday.
Reichel leads the Rockford IceHogs in goals (11) and points (20) and ranks second in assists (nine). Three of those 11 goals have been game-winners. He also has six multi-point outings, which leads the team.
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It was only a matter of time before Chicago's first-round pick (No. 17 overall) in 2020 was rewarded with a call-up. Whether his call-up is temporary or permanent remains to be seen, but he's at least earned a look at the NHL level and the Blackhawks are likely going to continue preaching patience with his development.
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