Blackhawks Young Forward Reveals Injury Status

The 24-year-old had injured his shoulder not once, not twice, but three times last season, so surgery became really the only choice. Now, six months later, youngster Cole Guttman says he's fully healthy and ready to go for training camp with the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Guttman injured the shoulder twice while at the 'Hawks' AHL affiliate, the Rockford Icehogs, then again after a brief callup to the big team in February/March. It was his first pro season after four years at the University of Denver. 

The talented center/winger totalled 16 goals and 30 points in 39 games at Rockford, and added another four goals and six points in 14 games and 14:34 average TOI with Chicago. That performance should have him in the running for a forward spot with the team at camp this fall. 

COLE GUTTMAN FIRST NHL GOAL FOR THE LEAD 🚨pic.twitter.com/CFhMp0cNym

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) February 20, 2023

The surgery to clean up that troublesome shoulder once and for all has him brimming with confidence. "I'm feeling really good," Guttman told Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times . "It's going to be nice not having to go day-to-day worrying about it coming out again and having to play through the pain. So [surgery] was definitely worth it. It was a little bit of a setback at the start, but it'll help me be even better this year, just playing 100% healthy." 

Photo: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports