Chicago Blackhawks Recall Jaxson Stauber; Reassign Brett Seney

The Chicago Blackhawks have had famed soccer keeper (and semi-professional hockey goalie) Petr Cech filling in for them at practice the last few days, as Alex Stalock deals with a non-COVID illness. Unfortunately, we won’t get to see him dress as the backup for tomorrow’s game against the Colorado Avalanche. The Blackhawks have recalled Jaxon Stauber from the minor leagues, suggesting that Stalock won’t be ready. To make room, Brett Seney has been loaned back to the Rockford IceHogs.

Stauber, 23, was signed to a two-year entry-level contract last spring after two seasons at Providence College. The 6’3″ netminder was never drafted, but now finds himself in the NHL less than a year into his professional career. In 12 appearances for Rockford, he has posted an .896 save percentage and 3.06 goals-against average, splitting time with Arvid Soderblom, Dylan Wells, and even ECHL starter Mitchell Weeks on occasion.

This recall shouldn’t suggest that Stauber is now third on the organizational depth chart. That’s still Soderblom, who has played in 15 games for the Blackhawks this season. But after suffering a groin injury recently, he’s not available to help fill in. It’s getting awfully thin for Chicago in net, especially given the long injury history of Petr Mrazek, who figures to start tomorrow night.

So thin, in fact, that not only has Cech been helping out, but there was also an appearance at practice from emergency backup extraordinaire Scott Foster this week. Foster is the accountant that appeared in a 2018 game for the Blackhawks and made all seven saves to secure the victory. Despite all that, the team has won two in a row, including an impressive overtime victory against the Calgary Flames on Sunday.