A true gamer, Seabrook 3rd on Hawks’ list
Defenseman Brent Seabrook made franchise history for the second time this season.
Seabrook played in his 1,014th regularseason game Thursday, surpassing Eric Nesterenko (1956-72) for third on the Hawks’ all-time list. He trails only Hall of Famers Bobby Hull and the late Stan Mikita.
After becoming the franchise leader among defensemen for games played earlier this season, Seabrook is on track to pass Hull (1,036 games) in December. He is still more than 4½ seasons behind Mikita, who played in 1,394 regular-season games.
Seabrook’s career doesn’t have one defining moment. His highlight reel is filled with clutch moments, including two overtime goals — one in an elimination game — in the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs. And his consistency made him an integral part of the Hawks’ nine consecutive playoff appearances.
“You just know what you’re going to get out of him every night,’’ captain Jonathan Toews said. ‘‘He prepares the same way; he’s got the same routine; he’s got the same habits. Obviously, there’s a reason why he’s doing all that and has made it this far in his career and is still playing well.”
Last season was one of his worst, but Seabrook still led the Hawks’ blue line in goals with seven.
Seabrook is off to a strong start through the first 10 games, leading the Hawks with 24 blocked shots. He also has six points, tied for the most among the team’s defensemen.
Foster’s return
Emergency backup goalie Scott Foster is back with the Hawks — kind of.
After making headlines last season for stopping all seven shots he faced during a Hawks win in March, Foster rejoined the team on the ice at the United Center. He participated in several drills at the morning skate, stopping shots from stars such as Toews.
“It’s pretty cool to see him go through what he did last year and the story that he was,” Toews said. “And then obviously you can rely on him to show up for practice every once in a while. He’s good out there. He definitely makes you work on your shot.”
But fans shouldn’t expect to see him starting in net anytime soon.
Coach Joel Quenneville said Foster, a 36-year-old accountant who was honored at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas this summer, will join the Hawks for optional morning skates going forward.
Asked how Foster reacted to the news, Quenneville joked: ‘‘He likes the idea. It beats the Beer League.”
No line dancing
As the saying goes: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Quenneville is notorious for shuffling his lines, but he decided to keep the same lines he used Tuesday in the Hawks’ 3-1 victory against the Ducks.
“Every game is kind of different, but I still think we’re going to be a better team by playing four lines throughout most parts of the game,” Quenneville said. “And if everybody gets some predictability to the lines, gets some consistency at both ends of the rink, it’s going to help our team game, and hopefully you get some predictability, so you can keep the lines together.”