Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson wants Ian Mitchell to play to his strengths

A healthy scratch in the Blackhawks’ last three games, defenseman Ian Mitchell was back in the lineup Sunday against the Sharks.

Listed at just 5-11 and 193 pounds, Mitchell never will be confused with a big, rugged blueliner. Instead, coach Luke Richardson wants to see Mitchell play to his strengths rather than trying to battle with opponents who are considerably heavier.

“Really, you just have to be smarter and get them in a position where they cut back, get through their hands and get going,” Richardson said. “So that’s how he’s going to have to play defense and that works to his game. We’ve talked about it, and he’s just got to make sure that he tries to really put that into his game plan, that he’s not defending a lot. Not that he’s terrible, he competes, it’s just that his game is moving the puck and playing offense and shooting the puck, so that’s what we want to see.”

Learning how to play that way can be tough for young players, and figuring out that method might be a key for Mitchell, who had an assist in 14:38 of ice time in the 5-2 loss. Richardson recalled how smaller defensemen like Kimmo Timonen and Tobias Enstrom avoided physical confrontations they would lose because they were strong skaters adept at getting in good positions to go through an adversary’s hands.

“Sometimes that’s awkward for a bigger guy,” Richardson said. “A guy gets right underneath you and you can’t really do much. You can’t cross-check in this league anymore, so it actually works well for a smaller guy if you’re smart about it.”

Mitchell took Caleb Jones’ lineup spot.

If needed

With Sunday marking the start of a seven-game homestand — and with the IceHogs not on the road until Jan. 7 — Richardson was asked if the Hawks would call up players to get a different look.

“We have to make sure we don’t just call up someone for a call-up and he’s in the wrong position and the wrong opportunity,” Richardson said. “[Lukas] Reichel’s not going to come in and kill penalties and be on the fourth line, that’s an energy line. That’s kind of a waste for him and us, so we want to make sure that fits but if there’s an opportunity, I’m all ears with the management.”

Prospect pains

A pair of Hawks prospects suffered injuries that will keep them out for a while.

On Saturday, the IceHogs announced that goalie Arvid Soderblom (groin) was placed on injured reserve, retroactive to Dec. 28. Rockford said Soderblom is expected to return in two to three weeks.

Meanwhile, playing for Canada against Sweden in the World Junior Championship, forward Colton Dach took a hit along the boards Saturday and left the game. On Sunday, Dach was removed from the roster.

Dach followed in his brother’s footsteps by getting hurt playing for the Canadian junior team. Kirby Dach needed right wrist surgery after a collision during a Dec. 2020 pre-World Junior tournament game against Russia and didn’t make his 2021 Hawks season debut until March 27.