Three practices down, and it's time now for the first game-like action of the 2026-27 season.
The Chicago Blackhawks 2026 Prospect Showcase against the St. Louis Blues gets underway on Monday evening, with the first of two games in as many days starting at 6:00 p.m. (CT). USG Arena at the Blackhawks Ice Center in downtown Chicago hosts this year's Showcase.
As a reminder, the Blackhawks WILL NOT stream either game against the Blues, so the only way to watch the Showcase is by coming down to USG Arena on Monday and Tuesday. Tickets for each game are available for $10 (including taxes and fees) and can be purchased via Ticketmaster . It's a terrific opportunity to get an up-close look at the franchise's future.
Like all of us hockey fans, the Blackhawks prospects are eager to hit the ice and get some game reps in, too. It's the first time most of them have played against another opponent since the spring.
"It's been a while, so it will be nice to go against someone other than one of my teammates," Spellacy said with a chuckle after Sunday's final practice session. "I think everyone is ready for the games coming up."
Rockford IceHogs head coach Jared Nightingale and his AHL staff will be behind the Blackhawks' bench for the two-game showcase.
"It's been a long time coming," Nightingale said on Friday after rookie camp commenced. "We've been thinking about this as coaches, and I know we're all excited to get going."
Here's everything to note before the puck drops and the 2026 prospect showcase begins at 6:00 p.m. CT in Chicago .
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks 2026 prospect showcase roster is headlined by 2024 first-round picks Sacha Boisvert (No. 18 overall) and Marek Vanacker (No. 27 overall). AJ Spellacy (2024 3rd), Ryan Roobroeck (2026 2nd), Adam Gajan (2023 2nd), and Taige Harding (2021 3rd) are other notable prospects in the organization.
Among the 22 prospects on the roster, 12 are recent NHL Draft selections, four are players under AHL contracts with the Rockford IceHogs, and six are showcase invitees.
our 2026 prospect showcase roster is here‼️
📰 ➡︎ https://t.co/YcIcdOAbtR pic.twitter.com/hB6gaxGT7H— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 31, 2026
St. Louis Blues
The Blues' 2026 prospect showcase roster is headlined by recent first-round picks Adam Jiricek (2024), Justin Carbonneau (2025), and Maddox Dagenais (2026). St. Louis' roster includes 12 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders.
#stlblues prospect roster that will face #blackhawks prospects Sept. 14-15 … pic.twitter.com/Zj3TP9X1UP
— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) September 8, 2026
Forward Lines
Ryan Roobroeck — Sacha Boisvert — AJ Spellacy
Marek Vanacker — Jiri Felcman — Martin Misiak
Marcus Joughin — Paul Ludwinski — Noah Aboflan
Rowan Henderson — Chase DaFoe — Parker Holmes
Aiden Young
Defensive Pairings
Taige Harding — Jake Furlong
Ty Henry — Brayden Hislop
Ashton Cumby — Lachlan Getz
Hayden Barch
Goaltenders
Adam Gajan
Jason Schaubel
Forward Lines
Aleksanteri Kaskimaki — Jakub Stancl — Justin Carbonneau
Juraj Pekarcik — Maddox Dagenais — Simon Robertsson
Carter Stevens — Felix Trudeau — Nikita Susuev
Colin Fitzgerald — Declan McDonnell — Riley Piercey
Defensive Pairings
Colin Ralph — Adam Jiricek
Lukas Fischer — Arseni Koromyslov
Nick Bogas — Quinton Burns
Tobias Kramer
Goaltenders
Will Cranley
Vladimir Proskurin
***
The Blues' lines and pairings listed above are from Saturday's practice session in St. Louis. The official combinations and pairings are to be determined.
Monday, September 14, 6:00 p.m. (CT): Game One — USB Arena, Chicago, IL
Tuesday, September 15, 4:00 p.m. (CT): Game Two — USB Arena, Chicago, IL
1. Who Leads The Blackhawks in Scoring?
Boisvert is the only player on the Blackhawks' roster with NHL experience and is expected to center the top line during the showcase. He's the odds-on favorite, but Spellacy, Roobroeck, and Vanacker have the upside to lead the way offensively, too.
2. How Does Gajan Fare in First Look?
Of the two goaltenders on the showcase roster, Gajan is the only one with Blackhawks affiliation and will get the start on Monday. While he's already made his pro debut in the AHL, it's his first time donning a Blackhawks sweater in game action. Gajan's performance during the showcase could impact where the organization wants him to begin his first full pro season.
3. Does Harding Dominate?
Harding is by far the oldest player on the Blackhawks' roster, as he'll turn 25 in January and was a third-round pick way back in the 2021 NHL Draft. Given his age and AHL experience last year, he'll be the team's No. 1 defenseman during the showcase. With his robust size, Harding should be able to outmuscle the competition this week, but can he use it to dominate the Blues?
4. Will Any Unsigned Prospects Stand Out?
With many of the Blackhawks' top prospects playing either pro or college hockey this fall, a few spots on the showcase roster needed to be filled by camp invitees. Most will receive minimal roles on Monday or Tuesday, but it's a major opportunity, nonetheless. Will any turn some heads?
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The post Blackhawks Prospect Showcase Game 1: Preview, Top Players, & Lineup vs. Blues appeared first on Chicago Hockey Now .
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