After playing against each other numerous times growing up in the Saskatchewan U18 AAA and junior leagues, Blackhawks first-round draft picks Kevin Korchinski and Nolan Allan are beginning to build a bond that could pay dividends for years to come in Chicago.
The duo made an initial connection over the summer at Blackhawks development camp, and now are teammates twice over -- with Allan joining Korchinski and the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds in a trade from the Prince Albert Raiders in early November. Since the trade, they continue to show how well they work together and on and off the ice.
"[When we joined] that camp for the Blackhawks we got to know each other better," Korchinski said. "Once he was traded here it's been awesome just getting a really good player and a good guy. Being [defensive] partners with him this year has been awesome. We've been building chemistry and we work well together."
FEATURE: Korchinski, Allan Building Chemistry in Seattle
The two defensemen will also represent Team Canada together in this year's 2023 World Juniors tournament.
![Practice-20220915-50](https://media.d3.nhle.com/image/private/t_ratio16_9-size20/f_auto/prd/pgwsj8zzxuylgyyrslye.jpg)
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Korchinski on first day of development camp
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Allan on first NHL training camp