Apr 12, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Ethan Del Mastro (38) skates against the Nashville Predators at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

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Blackhawks Recall Ethan Del Mastro, Place Craig Smith on Injured Reserve

Apr 12, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Ethan Del Mastro (38) skates against the Nashville Predators at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

The Blackhawks announced on Thursday that they’ve recalled defenseman Ethan Del Mastro from AHL Rockford. To make room on the roster, winger Craig Smith, sidelined since January 8 with a back injury, was placed on injured reserve.

Del Mastro, 22, has recorded eight assists, 38 penalty minutes, and a plus-four rating in 38 AHL games this season. While his offensive production isn’t eye-catching, it’s solid enough to rank third among Rockford’s defensemen in assists and points, behind Kevin Korchinski and Artyom Levshunov. However, Del Mastro’s real strength lies in his defensive reliability, making him a valuable stay-at-home presence on the blue line.

Ethan Del Mastro is being rewarded for his positive play in Rockford with another stint in the NHL. #Blackhawks https://t.co/jbfPeQ7oci
— Four Feathers Podcast (@FourFeathersPod) January 23, 2025

Standing at 6’4” and weighing 209 pounds, Del Mastro is projected to become a dependable defensive partner at the NHL level. His development has been promising since the Blackhawks selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. In his rookie AHL season last year, he surprised many by posting 37 points and a +14 rating across 67 games, earning him a late-season call-up and his NHL debut in two games against the Predators and Hurricanes in April.

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While it’s unclear whether Del Mastro will see ice time immediately, he now has the opportunity to add to his NHL resume. The Blackhawks are carrying eight defensemen on their active roster, and interim head coach Anders Sorensen described Del Mastro’s recall as a reward for his strong play in Rockford, according to Scott Powers of The Athletic.

Craig Smith, 35, has been dealing with recurring back issues, causing him to miss 14 of the last 18 games. After a brief return in late December, he’s once again sidelined. Smith has appeared in 30 of Chicago’s 47 games this season, tallying six goals and five assists for 11 points with a minus-seven rating. Signed to a one-year, $1 million deal last summer, the veteran forward has averaged 11:41 of ice time per game.

The Blackhawks are also without Pat Maroon, who missed Monday’s game against the Hurricanes with a back issue but remains day-to-day and hasn’t been placed on IR. Additionally, defenseman Connor Murphy continues to recover from a groin injury that has kept him out since the start of 2025.

Image Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

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Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!