ROCKFORD — Kirby Dach took a step toward playing in the NHL this season Saturday.
Dach, the third overall pick in this year’s draft, was informed Friday night about the Blackhawks’ intention to assign him to the Rockford IceHogs for an AHL conditioning stint. He was cleared to play Saturday morning in Chicago then skated with the Blackhawks before being driven to the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford.
Even though he was in some new surroundings, the 18-year-old Dach found some familiarities with the trip.
“(The trip) kind of reminded me of going back to juniors where you practice in the morning at your own rink, then go home and have a nap, eat some food and then go on the bus and play somewhere else,” Dach said.