The first thing Anders Sorensen, the coach at Rockford of the AHL, noticed when top Blackhawks defense prospect Kevin Korchinski arrived at development camp was Korchinski’s thickness.
‘‘[He’s] starting to look like a man,’’ Sorensen quipped Monday.
As is the case with many young prospects, weight and strength gains are major priorities for Korchinski.
He measured at 6-2 and 185 pounds when the Hawks drafted him seventh overall last summer. Having just turned 19, he’s up to 193 pounds and would like to add a few more before NHL training camp begins in September.
‘‘I’ve definitely been in the gym, been putting on a bit of weight, but not too much where I feel slow,’’ Korchinski said. ‘‘Whether it’s nutrition or just working out . . . it’s a big goal for me to put on a bit of weight this summer so that, in training camp, I feel stronger and can battle with men.’’
Diet changes have played a major role in that.
‘‘What I’ve learned . . . is having more veggies, so you have more energy throughout the day,’’ he said. ‘‘And just trying to eat more whenever you can, whether it’s a snack between a skate and a workout, having more protein or having a shake in the morning before getting a good breakfast. [It’s important to be] dialed in on those habits, so they become second nature.’’
If Korchinski can use his increased strength to show he is ready to match up well physically at the pro level, it might cement a spot for him on the Hawks’ opening-night roster.
After all, Korchinski pretty much already has accomplished everything one can at the junior-hockey level. He was the best defenseman with Seattle, the Western Hockey League’s best team. He ranked third among WHL defensemen in points per game with 73 in 54 games. He was a top-three defenseman for Canada at the world junior championships. In February, The Athletic ranked him as the 12th-best prospect in hockey.
Hawks assistant general manager Mark Eaton was impressed by Korchinski’s quickness, skating motion, puck-moving vision, competitiveness and determination to improve defensively all year long.
GM Kyle Davidson, meanwhile, said more recently that he plans to leave a couple of roster spots open for the Hawks’ many defense prospects, given that Korchinski, Alex Vlasic, Wyatt Kaiser and Isaak Phillips are knocking on the NHL’s door (and Ethan Del Mastro, Nolan Allan, Sam Rinzel and others are moving along further down the line). So Korchinski has a real chance.
‘‘He had a good camp last year and, obviously, a great season,’’ coach Luke Richardson said. ‘‘Now it’s time for him to rest, rejuvenate and just come and show us that he belongs here next year [by performing well] at rookie camp and main camp.
‘‘I don’t expect anything less from him. He’s a guy that’s got a high-end motor. He can definitely skate in the league. We want to make sure that he’s going to be comfortable, able to defend and do everything else a defenseman has to do in this league.’’
If the Hawks ultimately decide Korchinski needs another year in Seattle, that won’t represent a failure. His idol and NHL model, Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore, spent two full seasons in Seattle and parts of another two in the AHL after being drafted. Theodore is now an elite offensive defensemen.
But Korchinski and the Hawks alike are hoping for a breakthrough. It’s worth noting he already looks noticeably more mature, confident and comfortable around Fifth Third Arena than he did last year — and he has recognized that difference himself.
‘‘[I’m] just growing as a person, getting to know everybody here,’’ he said. ‘‘Once you get to know people, [you] feel more comfortable and get into a routine. You just be yourself and put your best foot forward.’’
