NHL Debut: Nick Lardis (December 13, 2025)

Nick Lardis will step onto NHL ice for the first time tonight as the Chicago Blackhawks face the Colorado Avalanche. The 20-year-old winger has been recalled from Rockford and is expected to slot into Chicago’s middle six.

Lardis has been a standout in his first pro season. Through 24 games with the IceHogs, he has put up 26 points, scoring 13 goals and adding 13 assists. He leads all AHL rookies in scoring, sits second in goals, and is among the league’s top ten overall in both goals and points. His strong start included 12 points in eight games in October, earning him AHL Rookie of the Month honors.

Before turning pro, Lardis put together one of the most productive seasons the CHL has seen this century. His 71 goals and 117 points with Brantford last year made him just the eighth CHL player since 2000 to reach the 70 goal mark.

Lardis enjoyed a strong OHL career across Peterborough, Hamilton and Brantford after being selected sixth overall by the Petes in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. In his final year, he finished on the CHL Second All-Star Team and earned OHL First All-Star Team honors. He led the league in goals with 71 and was named the OHL’s top scoring right winger, taking home the Jim Mahon Trophy.