Chicago Blackhawks Preseason Roster Cuts
After their inaugural preseason match of the hockey season, the Chicago Blackhawks made the decision to reduce their roster by assigning four players back to their major junior teams on Wednesday. The players affected by this first round of cuts include:
- Nathan Behm, heading back to the Kamloops Blazers in the WHL.
- Parker Holmes, returning to the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL.
- Jack Pridham, also rejoining the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL.
- Marek Vanacker, who will again suit up for the Brantford Bulldogs alongside Holmes.
Player Performance and Future Prospects
In their first preseason outing, Pridham and Vanacker had limited playing time, whereas Behm and Holmes did not get the opportunity to participate in the NHL preseason at all. Although disappointing, this phase of roster cuts is a crucial stepping stone for these young athletes, all of whom have promising careers ahead in professional hockey.
Vanacker and Holmes will continue as teammates in Brantford, a club that has become increasingly significant for the Blackhawks as it has nurtured several of their prospects over recent years. Meanwhile, Behm, selected during the 2025 NHL Draft, will play for the Blazers this season and plans to advance to Arizona State University for the 2026-27 season, a transition he announced through his social media channels.
Pridham, originally committed to play at Boston University this year, reassessed his path and opted to remain with the Kitchener Rangers, believing this choice would better facilitate his development.
Current Roster Status
With these recent cuts, the Chicago Blackhawks’ roster now consists of 49 players, comprising 26 forwards, 17 defensemen, and 6 goalies. Fans can find ongoing updates about the team at The Hockey News‘ dedicated Chicago Blackhawks site.
