Unlikely Trio Attend Blackhawks Training Camp
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For Thomas Gidlow, the GM of the Chicago Blackhawks, it was a proposition made in jest that ended up becoming a reality.
For Kirklan Lycar, the GM of the Colorado Avalanche and still an active player with Minot St. in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, it was a chance too good to pass up.
For Marie-Philip Poulin, a two-time gold medal winner and captain for Team Canada, and someone who is often referred to as “the Sidney Crosby of women’s hockey”, it was a chance she never thought she’d have.
All three were at Day 1 of the abbreviated Chicago Blackhawks training camp on Monday. Gidlow, in his thrown together goalie equipment, served as a backup tender to the first squad that went out in the early morning hours. Both Lycar and Poulin were full participants in the second squad that took the ice in the afternoon.
“I obviously had no business being out there, but it was nice to experience some of what these guys go through,” said Gidlow. “If I could provide a little levity here and there, good. That’s about all I’m good for on the ice anyway.”
Lycar enjoyed his time as well and even provided flashes of a potential future at the professional level.
“Kirklan moved and carried himself well,” said Blackhawks coach Rick Tocchet. “I know he sort of got out here being a fellow EHE GM, but he didn’t look out of place at all. He’s got the tools to be a pro and make a living playing this game, I believe.”
Poulin, who is helping to lead the fight to form a long-term, sustainable professional hockey league for women in North America, it was an opportunity not to show she belonged in the NHL, but that women deserve an equal stage.
“When they came to me and asked me to do this, my first thought was what most would probably think – it’s a stunt or something,” said Poulin. “But after talking to the management team and really seeing why they wanted me to take part, I was all for it. The Blackhawks organization, on the whole, is behind our effort and it was really cool of them to ask me to do this.”
Poulin was put through the regular training camp paces. She arrived at United Center for pre-skate workouts with both camp squads. She attended video training, a quick breakfast, and then another workout session before hitting the ice in the afternoon on Monday.
“Everyone knows she’s a talented player,” said Zach Parise, the newly minted Chicago captain. “It was great seeing her out there and seeing what she can do. I really hope it puts a spotlight on the women’s game.”
“Her drive is what gets you,” said new Chicago Wolves head coach Manny Malhotra. “She and a lot of women like her really work just as hard as the guys do and you see the results on the ice.”
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HAWK NOTES
Due to the abridged preseason schedule, Chicago has already sent the players destined for the AHL down the road to the Allstate Arena for the start of the Wolves’ training camp. Justin Falk and Ryan Haggerty remain on waivers and if they clear, should be reporting to the Wolves by Friday…With little time for in-camp exhibition games, the Hawks split their pro team into teams of 12 (Team Red) and 11 (Team Black) for a brief 30-minute scrimmage on Tuesday. In two 15-minute periods, it was Kyle Clifford for Team Black who netted two goals while Tuukka Rask made 21 saves en route to a 3-1 victory. Josh Bailey netted the lone goal for Team Red…Michael Kapla, Evan Polei, and Jordan Murray were dealt to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday for a fifth-round draft pick in 2021. Chicago is expected to sign a pair of unrestricted free agents and have them report to the Wolves for AHL camp by Thursday.
Chip Whitley
Blackhawks Beat Reporter