Big 19-year-old Czech winger who lit up Blackhawks development camp inks one-year deal with IceHogs
The Blackhawks affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, have signed forward Marcel Marcel to a one-year AHL contract for the 2023-24 season. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Marcel was selected by Chicago in the fifth round, 131st overall, of the 2023 NHL Draft.
The native of Plzen (Pilsen) Czechia lit up a press conference during the Blackhawks development camp with comments on how he nearly missed hearing his name called at the draft because of a bathroom run. See: https://twitter.com/_phil_thompson/status/1675222282229129216?s=20
The 19-year-old forward also had a great explanation of why he was suspended for one — or was it two or three— games last season with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Gatineau Olympics for hitting a smaller opponent. See our story at: https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/features/dump-and-chase-fifth-round-blackhawks-pick-steals-show-from-connor-bedard-and-new-teammates
Now Blackhawks fans can make the the drive up I-90 to see Marcel, along with other prospects.
Marcel played for the first time in North America last season with Gatineau. He recorded eight goals and 32 points, 53 penalty minutes, and a +22 rating in 52 games. The forward added three goals and five assists in 13 playoff games.
Marcel also helped Czechia to a silver medal at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording two goals and six points in seven contests.
Marcel briefly played professionally as an 18-year-old with HC Plzen in Czechia's top league, the Extraliga, in 2021-22.