Rise isn’t meteoric, but Sikura is loving it
Rookie forward believes starting at Rockford good for future development
It has been a quiet three weeks for Dylan Sikura.
The 23-year-old rookie forward hasn’t had a breakout game or anything resembling a signature moment since the Blackhawks promoted him from Rockford.
But Sikura has been in the lineup without fail, averaging a little more than 10 minutes of ice time in eight games and getting more comfortable after admittedly being a little starstruck at first.
“First game this year against (Sidney) Crosby, someone I idolized, it’s kind of weird to be out there,” Sikura said. “You’ve got to get over that hump and realize you belong out there. For me every game (I’m) trying to get more comfortable with the guys and system and hopefully just keep playing my game.”
There was a time during Sikura’s final season at Northeastern when he had the look of a phenom who might be able to produce immediately in the NHL.
That hasn’t turned out to be Sikura’s path. It became clear during training camp in September he wasn’t quite ready.
“You got eyes on you at all times and there’s not a lot of room for error,” Sikura said. “That’s just something you got to learn with time and experience. That’s why it’s pretty rare for guys to jump right out of the CHL or NCAA and right into the NHL because they need a year or maybe two years to develop.
“I think they made the right decision to send me down to Rockford, and that’s something I learned a lot from. I got a lot better down there and made this transition a lot better.”
Despite Sikura totaling only two assists in eight games, Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton has been satisfied with what the young forward brings each night. Colliton sees a very different player from the one in training camp.
“The pace that he’s playing at is way better,” Colliton said. “His skating looks as good as I’ve seen it, so then he puts himself in a position where himself and his line have the puck and he’s got that skill and he’s able to make a play. He’s probably unlucky not to have produced more.
“Almost every game he’s been able to put himself in a good spot to score or create chances for his linemates. He needs to continue to do that.”
It appears Sikura will be given the chance, along with several of his former IceHogs teammates who also have been making positive contributions since recent call-ups.
“Being up here with a bunch of guys I was in Rockford with definitely helps make you more comfortable,” Sikura said. “Just looking around the room you got (Collin) Delia, (Gustav) Forsling, (Carl Dahlstrom) ... it’s nice you can come up together and you’re closer with those guys.
“There’s a good blend of the young and the old guys, and I’m fortunate to sit right here besides (Jonathan Toews). So it’s been pretty special.”