BLOG: Wells Looking to Add Support in the Crease

Less than 24 hours ago, Dylan Wells was in Rockford watching the Blackhawks-Islanders game on TV with a few other players on the IceHogs. Today he's answering questions in the locker room at Fifth-Third Arena as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.
"[My head] is kinda spinning," said Wells after signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Blackhawks on Wednesday.

Chicago hopes the new goaltender will provide the organization with some much-needed organizational support in net. Wells likewise hopes to make the most of the situation he's been handed.
After trading for Petr Mrazek and signing Alex Stalock over the summer, the Blackhawks laid out a straightforward plan for their goaltenders Mrazek and Stalock to start for the team all the while, the organization's top goalie prospect Arvid Soderblom develops in the AHL. The season started and the plan soon changed after Mrazek suffered a groin strain against Detroit, placing him on the IR. Stalock would be positioned in goal and Soderblom would be recalled from Rockford.
The patching of holes worked: the team went on a four-game winning streak with Stalock posting a .914 SV% with 2.93 GAA and a 3-2-1 record. Things looked up heading into Tuesday's game against the New York Islanders.
Three minutes into the first period, Islanders center Casey Cizikas collided into Stalock after a breakaway opportunity. Stalock left the game for Soderblom to sub in. Following the game, head coach Luke Richardson would announced that Stalock entered concussion protocols, leaving the team with only one non-injured netminder.
While watching the game, Wells remembers receiving a phone call from Blackhawks' general manager Kyle Davidson "really quickly" after Stalock left the ice.

"It's a good opportunity for me, but it sucks to see Alex go down," said Wells who'd previously played with Stalock in the Edmonton Oilers' system. "He's a great guy, I'm good friends with him,"
Nevertheless, the 24-year-old hopes he can turn some heads. Wells attended the Blackhawks' preseason training camp this year on a PTO before being released to Rockford.
With Mrazek on track to return next week, head coach Luke Richardson doesn't just see Wells as a stopgap to the team's momentary injuries. Richardson characterized him as an important overall depth piece to the Blackhawks given the nature of goaltending.
"There's only two spots [on the team for goaltenders]," said Richardson, "but they [open up] quick when there's a few injuries. You can really climb the ladder quick on the depth chart."
For Wells, signing the contract with the team signifies a return to the NHL.
"That's been a goal of mine: to get back to an NHL deal after my entry level [contact] with Edmonton," said Wells who was picked by the Oilers in the 5th round of the 2016 NHL draft.
He's split most of his career between the AHL and ECHL, as well as getting a call up to back up a game for the Oilers when they played the Canadiens.
"I try to keep my game pretty simple," said Wells. "I'm not the biggest guy ever, but I try to play a little bigger than I am and just rely on my mobility and quickness and speed."