Blackhawks Colton Dach Will Make NHL Debut Against Brother Kirby vs Canadiens on Friday

There have been plenty of brothers to play with and against each other in the NHL, but Friday will mark something special.

Chicago Blackhawks center Colton Dach will be playing in his NHL debut across from his brother, Kirby of the Montreal Canadiens.

Colton, who was drafted No. 61 overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, was called up from Chicago's AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs on Thursday.

Colton has collected 12 points and 13 assists for 25 points in 20 games with the IceHogs this season.

"I've been playing really good," Colton said. "I liked my game. Just trying to be that energy guy, power forward and play my role."

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The move comes two days after the Blackhawks were flattened 6-2 by the St. Louis Blues in the open air at the NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field. The Blackhawks are in a desperate search for offense; they rank No. 30 overall in goals scored and boast a minus-31 goal differential.

"It was just surreal," Colton said. "Just kind of sitting at home enjoying an off day, I get the phone call."

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 03: Colton Dach #28 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period of preseason game at the United Center on October 03, 2023 in...

Blackhawks center Frank Nazar was friends and linemates with Colton when they played together for the IceHogs.

Frank Nazar's friend and linemate with the Rockford IceHogs, but Dach's call up to the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday was a surprise.

"I walked in for breakfast. I saw him sitting there at the table," Nazar said about spotting Dach. "So it was pretty exciting to just see a familiar face. He deserves it, works hard, and I was glad to see him."

Kirby will be revisiting the United Center in Chicago for the first time since Oct. 14, 2023, when the center tore his right ACL and MCL after he was knocked into the bench by defenseman Jarred Tinordi. Kirby missed the remainder of last season with only two games played.

Kirby was the third-overall selection in 2019. He's tallied 12 points in 37 games this season.

The meeting between the Dach brothers will be the first time the two have faced one another in an organized format, let alone in the NHL both playing for an Original Six franchise.

Chicago sits in last place of the Central Division at 12-24-2 with 26 points while Montreal is sixth in the Atlantic Division with 37 points at 17-17-3.

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