Jeff Blashill’s Secret Strategy to Push Blackhawks Beyond Their Limits Revealed

There’s an old saying in hockey circles that “it’s the legs that feed the wolves,” and if that doesn’t ring true with the Chicago Blackhawks’ training camp grind, I don’t know what does. Coach Jeff Blashill isn’t pulling any punches this year – he’s got his squad busting their humps with repeated bag skates right out of the gate. I watched these kids, many young and eager but a tad green against the league’s juggernauts, pushing through breath-stealing drills that see them gasping and grimacing—but not quitting. You can feel the sweat and determination mixing in the air like fuel for a comeback. Blashill nailed it when he said, “Some of the best bonding is when you go through struggles together.” It’s clear these Hawks are gunning to come out harder, faster—ready to skate circles around anyone who doubts their stamina or heart. Even vet Nick Foligno senses this shift, emphasizing the need for speed and endurance as the team’s backbone. With players like Sam Rinzel and Matt Grzelcyk setting the pace, the Blackhawks look primed to ensure that outworking and outskating opponents becomes their signature. If you’re hungry for more on this grueling, gutsy camp start, dive in here: LEARN MORE.

A wise hockey man once said that it’s the legs that feed the wolves. That same man, the legendary Herb Brooks, repeated the word “again” to his players as they bag-skated after a lackluster effort during an exhibition game. 

Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill, who has also had his fair share of time with USA Hockey as a head coach, had his players participate in a bag skate more than once during the first two days of training camp. 

Although the Blackhawks are a team with a lot of young talent, that youth can be a detriment when playing against some of the best players in the world. Being well-conditioned is a way to combat those troubles. 

By the end of multiple up and down skates, the players at Blackhawks camp were bent over trying to catch their breath. Nobody is complaining; it is just a tough drill after an hour of intense hockey practice. 

“Some of the best bonding is when you go through struggles together,” Blashill said. “The guys did a great job. It’s the kind of work ethic we’re going to have to have.”

Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) on X
Conditioning drills. #Blackhawks


Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) on X
The final result after conditioning drills. Jeff Blashill is not easing them into this training camp, that’s for sure. #Blackhawks

Sometimes, out-thinking and out-working teams can be a key to victory. The Blackhawks aren’t going to be the deepest team in the NHL, and there is a lot of inexperience, but they won’t be tired or giving weak effort.

“He’s just trying to make sure we understand we’re going to be a skating team, so we need to be in great shape,” Captain Nick Foligno said after practice. “I think he’s got to be impressed with how well we do on that.”

Not every player on the team is considered young in hockey years, but guys like Nick Foligno know what it takes to be a good, fast team in the NHL. It sounds like he’s ready for the next challenge. 

When it came to setting the tone for the skating drills at the end, Sam Rinzel and Matt Grzelcyk (PTO) set the tone. Each of them can skate like the wind, and it was on full display during these bag-skates. 

Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) on X
Matt Grzelcyk looks like Katie Ledecky

Skating like this is hard and the marks of the early part of camp, but it will be worth it in the end when the Blackhawks are not out-worked or out-conditioned by anyone. 

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