Through call-up's and injuries, Mitchell Weeks has stood tall as Rockford's 3rd, Sometimes 4th Goalie.
(Photo Courtesy/ Rockford IceHogs)
By: Jack Masters, IceHogs Contributor, Ice Insider
Undrafted out of the OHL, Mitchell Weeks seemed to be destined to be a short-term option for the Indy Fuel after he signed a two-year AHL contract with Rockford through the 23/24 season and set behind Arvid Soderblom, Dylan Wells and Jaxson Stauber on the depth chart. Through those two years, Rockford saw injuries to Soderblom and Wells, the Blackhawks also suffered injuries in net forcing them to dip all the way down to calling Rockford's 3rd goalie, Dylan Wells up to the NHL. Through all of this, Weeks stood tall in net for stretches in Rockford, helping them to playoff spots in both his first two seasons.
Getting his first call-up in November 2022, Weeks made his AHL debut November 2nd vs. Milwaukee and made 26 of 31 saves in a 6-4 loss to the Admirals. But it was Weeks following starts that caught attention. In his second start coming that following Saturday, Weeks was lights out in a 25 of 26 save effort, leading the depleted Icehogs roster to a 4-1 win over the Griffins. Weeks was not done though. Sticking with the IceHogs while Soderblom and Stauber were recalled, Weeks made an incredible 47 saves in a 5-4 IceHogs shootout loss to Iowa, yet earning them a critical point.
Weeks continued the season bouncing back and forth between the Indy Fuel and IceHogs, but in total Weeks' stretch of five starts between November 19th and January 1st ended up being a pivotal swing for the IceHogs, who snuck into the AHL playoffs by a lone point. In that stretch Weeks was 4-0-0-1, getting the IceHogs a crucial 9 points while Soderblom was injured and Stauber was recalled to the Blackhawks.
Weeks' tracks a puck to the corner while playing for the Indy Fuel. (photo courtesy/ Indy Fuel)
THE AHL IS A TEST OF DEPTH
At the American League level, it is truly a test of depth. Potential call-up's everyday, injuries at the AHL and NHL level as well as trickle-down effect's from NHL trades. A depth-piece in net like Mitchell Weeks can be an AHL club's secret weapon. It was on full display in the above-mentioned 2022/2023 season, when the Blackhawks dipped all the way down to Dylan Wells on the depth chart after a rash of injuries in net. In a situation like that it could be easy for an AHL team to dip into the ECHL for a PTO signing, not caring about results as much as they just want a warm-body in net.
Not the case with Mitchell Weeks. Returning to his role as Rockford's option in Indy, Weeks returned for five appearances in 23/24, putting up a 3-2-0 record and a 2.80 GAA, having a hand in 6 points for Rockford. Being able to simple call-up a reliable option in net and not having to scour the PTO-market with an injury to your AHL goalies is a true luxury to IceHogs GM Mark Bernard and also played a hand in the stability the IceHogs saw in the 23/24 season, making the playoffs by a 23-point margin, their largest since joining the AHL.
HE'S DOING IT AGAIN
Coming into the 2024-2025 season, Rockford looked loaded in net. Arvid Soderblom was set to return to Rockford after struggling last year in the NHL. Drew Commesso looked to build off a solid first year as he also returned to Rockford. Weeks looked to, yet again, be the number three for Rockford after signing a two-year AHL contract extension.
Oh, how quickly things change. Laurent Brossoit suffered a knee-injury before training camp and his timeline, originally 4-6 weeks, has now become a grey area. Drew Commesso has also struggled for the IceHogs. Arvid Soderblom has filled in for Brossoit to the tune of a 2.36 GAA and a .926 save %. Add to that, Soderblom currently sits at 56 games played as of November 23rd, once he hits 60 he becomes waiver eligible. I'd think if Arvid was on waivers he'd clear due to his up and down NHL track record, but that's a true risk for Davidson. His numbers this year are great and you never know how desperate a team could be for a fresh body in net at the you put Soderblom on waivers.
All this combines for a brain-fog of potential unknown's of the future in net for the Blackhawks and IceHogs. But truly the one true sense of stability has been, yet again, Mitchell Weeks. In 8 starts as Drew Commesso's back-up he sports a 2.90 GAA and an .899 save percentage. Nothing overly-flashy, but as Drew Commesso struggles to the tune of a .872 save % and a 3.32 GAA, Weeks has stood tall in relief.
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