WHL Stars & NHL Debuts: Blackhawks’ Dach makes debut against brother Kirby

Chicago, Ill.- It’s all brotherly love until the puck drops.

Former WHL Champion Colton Dach was on the winning side of a memorable NHL debut as he skated in his first NHL game with the Chicago Blackhawks against his older brother, Kirby, and the Montreal Canadiens.

not everyday you make your NHL debut playing against your brother🥹 pic.twitter.com/i3rwTSEPKS

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 4, 2025

“When we were taking that photo at center ice with my brother, (it was) definitely a moment I’ll never forget,” Colton said postgame. “Just kind of looking around the rink and realizing what it’s all came for- and I know my family is super excited. I wish my mom could be here for it too, but I think I’m sure she’ll come when she can.

I was just kind of trying to take it all in… All the guys here said  ‘Just take your moment and and just go out there and have fun’. And that’s what I was trying to do.”

The 6-foot-4, 196-pound centreman made his presence known in 11:05 of ice time- and there may be some lingering reminders on the bodies of his opponents today.

Dach, 22, took five shots on net, drew one penalty and laid five punishing hits on the Canadiens in a 4-2 victory for the Blackhawks.

“I like to play physical,” Dach grinned postgame. “I like to get inside guys and into bodies. I think that was my number one goal for the first shift, just go out there and try and be physical.

He (Kirby) did tell me to stay on my feet after I drew that one penalty.”

brb saving this rookie lap forever

Congrats Colton! pic.twitter.com/F0ypjr0ZYJ

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 4, 2025

The decision snapped a five-game skid for the Blackhawks and prompted praise from Head Coach Anders Sorensen.

“It was good,” Sorensen told reporters. “He engaged other guys as well. When a young kid comes in like that and plays as hard as he did, it was really positive for the group.”

For his part, the elder Dach registered his eighth assist of the season on a third-period powerplay goal.

“It’d be better if we won, but it was cool,” Kirby said. “I thought Colton was great. It’s still pretty special and I’m happy that I was around for it and got to see him.”

Colton, who hails from Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., was originally drafted by the Saskatoon Blades with the sixth overall pick in the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft.

He played two seasons with the Blades before joining the Kelowna Rockets (serving as captain for one season), and, finally, being acquired by Seattle as the Thunderbirds loaded up for their 2023 Playoff run.

Dach totaled 63 goals and 92 assists for 155 points and a +43 rating in 166 career regular season games.

He was even more effective in the playoffs, where he tallied three goals and 11 assists en route to Seattle’s second WHL championship.

Dach had two game-winning goals in the Thunderbirds’ second-round sweep of the Prince George Cougars, two assists in Game 3 in the finals to down the Winnipeg ICE and a pair of goals in five appearances at the 2023 Memorial Cup.

Chicago selected the physical forward with the 62nd overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and signed him to a three-year, entry-level deal later that fall.

Dach is in his second season of professional hockey and had tallied 23 goals and 29 assists for 52 points in 78 games with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs prior to earning this call-up.

Chicago is back in action on Sunday, January 5 as they host the struggling New York Rangers at the United Center.