Every player dreams about the day they get called up to the big leagues. Brandon Hagel is no different, but his experience has been unique.
On Jan. 16, the Blackhawks recalled Hagel from the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League and placed Dylan Strome on injured reserve with an ankle injury. It was an off day for the Blackhawks, who were preparing to play back-to-back games on Saturday in Toronto and Sunday in Chicago against Winnipeg.
Hagel was a healthy scratch in both of those games before being reassigned after Sunday’s game. He participated in an afternoon content for Rockford on Monday and was called back up by the Blackhawks afterwards for Tuesday’s game against Florida, which was the final one before the NHL All-Star break. He was a healthy scratch again and reassigned after the game.
On Feb. 29 at 9 a.m., the Blackhawks announced they had recalled Hagel on an emergency basis after shutting down forwards Andrew Shaw (concussion) and Zack Smith (back) for the rest of the 2019-20 season. The team was in Florida, where it was wrapping up a four-game road trip.
Hagel hadn't arrived in time for morning skate, but he did make it to the game. The only problem? Hagel was a healthy scratch again and reassigned to Rockford minutes before puck drop, so he left after warmups. Within seven hours he was called up and sent back down.
It was a long day of travel for Hagel, who met up with Rockford in San Antonio later that night and played in an afternoon tilt the very next day. A hectic weekend no doubt, but his perspective was mature for a 21-year-old.
"Even just to get that call and know that they're thinking of me, it's great to be out there," Hagel said. "Even to come up, if it's a long travel day, it's a treat for me to play in the NHL, so just to be here is something special."
NHL
Hagel was called up for a fourth time on Monday. And this time, he will finally make his NHL debut on Wednesday against San Jose on national TV and show the Blackhawks what he can bring to the table.
"It’ll be good to get him in," head coach Jeremy Colliton said. "A scrappy player, has a little bit of skill, works hard. He’s had a really good first year [as a] pro, good for him that we’ve had him here a bunch of times, take the shine off it in a lot of ways. He can bring a lot of the things, intangibly, get to the net, get under guys’ skin, be a little rat out there, and we’ll take some of that."
Hagel skated on the third line during Tuesday’s practice with rookies Kirby Dach and Dominik Kubalik, the former of whom he played on a line with at the 2019 Traverse City Prospect Tournament. Hagel isn’t a flashy player, but he is noticeable by the way he empties the tank every shift.
"I think I can bring a lot of speed and passion for the game," said Hagel, who leads Rockford in goals (19) and ranks third in points (31). "My work ethic is one of my biggest things and getting on the forecheck and just doing simple things to help the team win. I’ve just got to stick to the way I play."
If he sticks to the way he plays, Hagel should have no problem fitting in with the Blackhawks. Now the challenge is proving he can stay here.
"I want to prove that I can be a full-time NHLer one day," Hagel said. "Obviously that's everyone's goal, so I've just got to stick to my game and hopefully all goes well."
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