Alex DeBrincat continues to quash concerns about his size

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Alex DeBrincat has always been one of the smallest players on the ice and it could have been an obstacle to his career.

In a sport where traditional coaches and the size of the value of management, does not DeBrincat lot to the table at 5'7 "and 165 pounds. In fact, it's probably why DeBrincat dropped in the second round draft pick in 2016 - a player with his talent would not be available 39th he was 6 feet or taller.

This helped contribute to the monstrous chip on the shoulders pint size Debrincant. He is not afraid of contact and plays with a physical edge, often toeing the line and get under the skin of an opponent effectively.

"It kind of just developed by itself," said DeBrincat. "I've always been smaller and I had to find ways out of situations and just manage myself. It's just become a part of my game at this stage. "

It is a game that the Chicago Blackhawks Jersey are very pleased to see the development, starting with the performance DeBrincat in Traverse City Prospects Tournament.

DeBrincat was a centerpiece on the top line of Chicago in the tournament. He scored in a 5-0 victory against the Detroit Red Wings and came close again when he fired four shots in a loss against the St. Louis Blues 3-2.

A dynamic offensive force, Debrincat may be the best pure sniper in the system of Chicago.

Duncan Keith's status unclear for start of Blackhawks regular season

Does not play for the team Canada of knee problems that prolonged because of the hockey World Cup Blackhawks defense Duncan Keith, it is set to get underway this weekend without.

Keith, after the press conference of the team for North America during the media day of the World Cup at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ready for the start of the Hawks season and general manager Stan Bowman was uncommitted Thursday If you have questions it is now.

"I am that you do not put any expectations on it," a GM for North America Bowman said. "Are we just display. When he is ready, he is ready and I have. Although there is nothing to worry about, now, we are not trying to put it in the time frame. we you get if we ne exhibition game Ya of have a better feel in , if he was ready to play, he will play. "

Keith, he and suffered during the 2015 Stanley Cup final he received nearly a month of meniscus tears October 20 surgery to repair in his right knee, which missed the last season . On August 24, Keith had to withdraw from the World Cup because of the ongoing recovery of his knee.

"It was a decision of Duncan Keith Jersey," said Bowman said. "He just he is he did not feel the run to the level required in such a tournament (possibility).