Mark Osiecki’s experience, knowledge to be missed by Hawks

ROCKFORD, Ill. – Mark Osiecki knew others doubted whether Viktor Svedberg would ever be an NHL player with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Osiecki, the Rockford IceHogs associate coach, never thought that himself. It wasn’t that Osiecki was positive Svedberg would make it, which Svedberg did. Osiecki simply wasn’t going to count out a player. It’s something he’s learned to never do as a coach.

“You look at a guy like Viktor Svedberg right now,” Osiecki said. “He came in; everyone was saying, ‘Oh, there’s no chance. This guy can’t play. This guy can’t do this, can’t do that.’ Rather than saying can’t, okay, let’s take your talents and work with them. Let’s work with what you have and find a way to…