What? No penalties for Chicago rookie?

Every time Dominik Kahun takes the ice, he’s risking his chance at making NHL history.

Kahun, 23, a rookie, has played in each of the Blackhawks’ 55 games and has not committed a penalty. If that continues, Kahun would become the first player to play in every game of an 82-game season without any penalty minutes.

In 1973-74, the Sabres’ Craig Ramsay didn’t commit any penalties, but the NHL schedule was 78 games then. The Islanders’ Butch Goring played 78 games without a penalty in 1980-81 but missed two games of the 80game schedule.

The NHL went to an 82-game schedule in 1995-96.

Kahun rarely went to the penalty box in four seasons in Germany’s top league. In 157 regular-season games with EHC Red Bull Munich, Kahun had 16 penalty minutes, including just two last season.

“I just try to skate as much as possible so I don’t need to hook somebody or trip somebody,” Kahun explained. “Sometimes if it happens, it’s just because there’s no other way. I never do much penalties.”

Kahun has company in his bid to set the record. The Avalanche’s Sam Girard is the only other player who has played in all of his team’s games this season without committing a penalty.

“It’s impressive he hasn’t taken any penalties,” Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said of Kahun. “When you’re a rookie, a lot of times they’ll let a veteran get away with something, but then you do it and you’re in the box.”

With 27 games remaining, Kahun has a ways to go to set the mark. But he is on the verge of setting the Blackhawks record for most games to start a season without a penalty. He trails only Gerry Melnyk, who went 62 games in 1961-62 before committing his first penalty.

— Chicago Tribune