FIRST STARRW Spencer Watson (Rockford)THE NUMBERS: 47 GP, 22 G, 25 A (with Manchester of the ECHL)
Acquired in a minor league trade on the eve of the NHL Trade Deadline, Spencer Watson arrives in the Blackhawks organization averaging a point per game with the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL. Reporting to Rockford, Watson will look to cement himself in the AHL now and beyond. Taking a video-game-like approach to his career, the 22-year-old Watson has conquered each level of hockey he's faced. He put up 98 points and led the Kingston Frontenacs in goals, points and assists in the OHL, before joining the Monarchs in 2017, where Watson posted over 20 goals and assists in his first two OHL seasons. In a 4-3 shootout loss to the Reading Royals on Friday, Watson notched two points including his 22nd goal of the season.
SECOND STARLW Brandon Hagel (Red Deer)THE NUMBERS: 58 GP, 36 G, 54 A
A midseason acquisition by the Blackhawks organization, all Brandon Hagel did this was week was continue one of the most impressive seasons of any player in the WHL. His second five-point night of the year for the Red Deer Rebels propelled his squad to a 7-3 win over Moose Jaw. Hagel's 90 points on the season (36 G, 54 A) rank fifth in the league. For comparison's sake, Hagel posted 59 points (18 G, 41 A) in 56 games last season, but has racked up 90 points in just 58 games this year. And with Red Deer chasing a playoff spot, he might not be done yet.
THIRD STARG Alexis Gravel (Halifax)THE NUMBERS: 42 GP, 2.51 GAA, .917 Pct.
A Canadian goalkeeper, born in Germany, Alexis Gravel boasts one of the more interesting pedigrees of any NHL draft pick in the 2018 class. But it's Gravel's play with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL that lands him in this week's prospect report. The 18-year-old backstopped his fourth shutout of the season with a 22-save performance against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada this week, as Gravel became just the seventh Moosehead goalie in team history to record four shutouts in a season. That's not the only number that jumps off the page - Gravel's 29-13 record for a streaking Halifax team has helped the Mooseheads clinch a division title and playoff spot this season.
ROCKFORD REPORT:
The IceHogs hit a skid this week, dropping three games in a row but holding on to fourth place in the Central Division and that all-important AHL playoff spot. Two of those losses could have gone either way, as Rockford fell 3-2 in a shootout loss to the Hershey Bears and 1-0 to the Chicago Wolves. New arrivals Peter Holland and Spencer Watson both debuted as the IceHogs look to beef up their roster for the stretch run. Holland is averaging a point per game since joining Rockford (1 G, 2 A) and scored his first goal as an IceHog in the loss to Hershey.
