Broadhurst finally on firm footing

New Lenox native Alex Broadhurst is making his third appearance at a Blackhawks prospect camp this week. This time, though, he’s doing it with the certainty of a three-year entry-level contract in hand.

After posting 23 goals and 40 assists in 65 games to help the London Knights win the Ontario Hockey League title, Broadhurst likely will join older brother Terry in Rockford next season.

‘‘My family was really excited,’’ Alex Broadhurst said. ‘‘Couldn’t be happier.’’

At the session Tuesday, Broadhurst had the ‘‘honor’’ of skating in both practices because Garret Ross sat out with an illness.

‘‘I was the lucky one today,’’ he said. ‘‘Good and bad, I guess. I’m pretty tired right now, and I’ll probably be pretty tired for the [scrimmages the next three days]. But it’s good for conditioning, I guess.’’

Survival of the fittest

It’s not only on the ice that Hawks prospects are trying to impress the team. Off the ice, the players are trying to prove who’s the fittest and most physically ready for the NHL. And they take it seriously.

‘‘Most of the guys really compete,’’ winger Chris Calnan said. ‘‘Kids are really getting after it, watching everybody, seeing how they did. I saw kids looking at my sheets and trying to compete with how my scores went. Everybody takes it really seriously.’’

Toughing it out

Prized center prospect Mark McNeill had to be helped off the ice and into the locker room by two trainers after taking a shot to the back of the leg. He came back about five minutes later and finished the practice session but didn’t participate in the off-ice activities afterward. A team spokesman said he would be re-evaluated Wednesday.