The Blackhawks placed the 19-year-old Korchinski on non-roster on Saturday, but he's staying with Chicago for now. Story will be updated.
The Chicago Blackhawks placed rookie defenseman Kevin Korchinski on non-roster on Saturday morning, but the smooth-skating 19-year-old is not headed back to Canada's squad at IIHF World Junior Championship.
Coach Luke Richardson said Korchinski was "tending to a family matter." The Blackhawks recalled D-man Isaak Phillips from AHL Rockford to take Korchinski's spot for Saturday's game against the St. Louis Blues.
Rookie Blackhawks D-Man Kevin Korchinski got beat on this play against the Blues in November.Richardson added there was "no timeline yet" for Korchinski's return after the team learned late on Friday of the youngster's need take time off.
In 25 games with Chicago, Korchinski has two goals and five assists. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native is averaging 19:31 of ice time, fifth highest among rookies.
"I think he's just starting to scratch the surface of his ability and being confident of that at this level," Richardson said.
As expected by the Blackhawks coaching staff, Korchinski has been prone to some first-year mistakes with and without the puck as he transitions from the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL to the NHL. He a minus-12 on an 8-16-1 team that has scored 60 goals while allowing 89.
The Blackhawks have said Korchinski will advance his career more effectively by remaining in the NHL.
"I thought the last game he had a great rush and he's starting to shoot the puck over the last few games," Richardson said. "We're trying to promote that, to have the confidence and look for those opportunities because he's definitely an offensive threat out there." See video.
Korchinski flew down right wing into the Anaheim zone in the second period of Thursday's 1-0 win over Ducks. He cut around the Ducks defense and across the crease, but was stopped by Lukas Dostal point-blank.
No. 1 2023 draft pick Connor Bedard takes faceoff against No. 2 selection Leo Carlsson on Thursday in their only simultaneous shift.Both Korchinski and 18-year-old NHL rookie scoring leader Connor Bedard are eligible for the upcoming WJC in Göteborg, Sweden, running from Dec. 26, 2023 to Jan. 5, 2024.
Along with Bedard, Korchinski played on Canada's WJC team that won a gold medal in Halifax, Nova Scotia last January. Three other Blackhawks prospects — Nolan Allan, Ethan Del Mastro and Colton Dach – were on the squad.