<p>The <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/chicago-blackhawks/line-combinations">Chicago Blackhawks</a> <a href="https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-blackhawks-recall-nazar-from-rockford">announced</a> Friday that the club has recalled center Frank Nazar from the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs.</p>



<p>Through 21 appearances with the IceHogs this season, Nazar has registered 11 goals and 13 assists to lead all AHL rookies with 24 points.</p>



<p>The 13th overall selection from the 2022 NHL Draft, Nazar is a graduate of the NCAA’s Michigan Wolverines. In 41 outings in 2023-24, the Detroit, Mich., native finished sixth in Wolverines scoring, notching point-per-game production with 17 goals and 24 assists.</p>



<p>Nazar signed his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks in April and saw a brief trial run with the team in the twilight of the 2023-24 NHL campaign. In all, Nazar made three appearances, scoring in his NHL debut as his first-ever shot got by <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/carolina-hurricanes/line-combinations">Carolina Hurricanes</a> netminder Pyotr Kochetkov.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="132"></div>



<p>In a corresponding roster move Friday, the Blackhawks placed defenseman Alec Martinez on the injured reserve due to a neck injury. The 37-year-old rearguard has been out of the lineup for the past two games. It marks the second absence this season for Martinez, who earlier missed a 12-game stretch due to a groin ailment.</p>



<p>For Nazar, he joins a Blackhawks squad that has struggled to find the win column and the back of the net this season, as the club’s 72 goals rank third-lowest league wide. On the season, Chicago sits 9-18-2 and 14 points back of a playoff position in the Western Conference.</p>



<p>Earlier this month, the Blackhawks made headlines in dismissing head coach Luke Richardson and appointing interim bench boss Anders Sorensen, the NHL’s first Swedish-born head coach. Sorensen is a familiar face to Nazar, as he was previously the head coach of the IceHogs.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="148"></div>



<p>Since Sorensen’s appointment, the Blackhawks are 1-2-0, with eight goals scored through the three-game stretch. Chicago returns to the ice Saturday versus the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/new-jersey-devils/line-combinations">New Jersey Devils</a>.</p>
