Rookie Netminder Set for second season in Rockford. His first filled with the development that could tune him into an NHL starting goaltender.
The 2023-2024 season featured the debut of Rockford IceHogs goaltender Drew Commesso. He lead Rockford in every major goaltending statistic. In Commesso's debut game against the San Jose Barracuda, he stopped 34 of 36 shots and even got an assist, in Rockfords 7-2 win against San Jose. In his third professional start on October 28th, Drew became the youngest (21 years old) IceHogs goaltender to record a shutout stopping 18 shots in a 3-0 win against the Grand Rapids Griffins at the BMO Center in Rockford, IL.
In a very strong start to his first professional season, Commesso had a difficult month of December, only recording one win, six losses, and an overtime loss. Commesso posted a 3.83 goals-against average and a .869 save percentage the worst of Rockford’s three rookie netminders that month. With his worst game getting pulled in the second period in a 7-0 shutout by the San Diego Gulls on December 8th.
With the rough stretch behind, Commesso improved markedly and went 9-4-0-0 with a 2.30 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage from February 23rd to April 21st. The team went 19-5-0-0 during that run to the postseason, including a seven-game win streak that started on February 21st.
After Jaxson Stauber started in net for Game 1 of the Central Division Semifinals series between the IceHogs and the Griffins, Commesso earned the next three starts in the best-of-five series.
The rookie was nearly perfect and stopped 27 of 28 shots in a Game 2 win. Commesso would set an IceHogs AHL record with 19 saves in a single playoff period during the first frame of Game 3 and finished the contest with 38 saves on 42 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss. The Griffins eventually took the series three games to one, but the first-year pro showed his ability to deliver in big moments despite the outcome.
Scott Wheeler The Athletic, recently ranked Commesso 9th overall in his 'Top 20 drafted NHL goalie prospects ranking' article. Being an IceHogs season ticket holder, I was able to witness Drew's first year. Despite having a rough stretch early on and having my doubts. In the second half of the season, I was impressed with his development and growth. In which, he will continue his growth with good goaltending development Drew will be the next top goaltender with the Blackhawks.
I recently asked Biscuit Buds IceHogs Lead Analyst/Writer Jack Masters his insight on Drew Commesso. He stated, "I would say this he impressed. Came in as a rookie and played reliably and was healthy. Developed at a great rate and that's all you can ask for, great smooth sailing rookie year sets him up for a sophomore season."
For all your Blackhawks and IceHogs news and updates. Please follow along at www.biscuitbuds.com/icehogs-daily to never miss a moment. I'm Rob Rubio, Lead Writer and Analyst for your Chicago Blackhawks.
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