Growing up in Hockey Town, Frank Nazar’s debut NHL game at Little Caesars Arena was expected to be a special moment. However, by the time he made his first NHL appearance in January 2025 during a 5-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, he was already quite experienced in that venue. “I had played preseason matches, college games, and even scored my first college goal at Little Caesars,” Nazar said. “Every time I play there, it’s electric. It feels like having a family of 100 cheering behind me, which is a lot of fun.”
Before turning pro with the Chicago Blackhawks in April 2024, Nazar’s hockey journey was deeply rooted in his hometown. He played for Detroit’s renowned Honeybaked Youth program, then progressed through USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Plymouth, followed by two seasons with the NCAA’s Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor.
A significant moment in Nazar’s development was a positional switch. While young players often move from center to wing at higher levels, Nazar, known for his speed and smaller size, transitioned in the opposite direction. He initially played wing but requested to move back to center during his time at the NTDP. “I told my coach forever, ‘Keep me at center,’ but he wanted me on the wing,” Nazar recalled. “My first year at NTDP, I struggled on the wing, but once I moved back to center, I played really well and never looked back.” He credits this change as crucial to his growth.
By the end of the 2020-21 season, Nazar had become a leading scorer for the U-17 team, playing alongside talents like Logan Cooley, Cutter Gautier, and Lane Hutson. He ranked third on the U-18 team the following season, and the Blackhawks selected him 13th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Nazar missed the first four months of his freshman NCAA season due to injury but helped Michigan reach the Frozen Four twice during his college career. He also won his first international gold medal with the U.S. at the 2024 World Junior Championship. In April, he scored his first NHL goal in his pro debut against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Last fall, Nazar was assigned to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs to gain professional experience. Playing as the first-line center under veteran coach Anders Sorensen, he thrived. “Coach gave me the freedom to play all situations, and I enjoyed making plays,” Nazar said. When Sorensen was called up to Chicago in December, Nazar continued to impress and didn’t look back.
Though he only recorded one point in his first 10 NHL games, Nazar’s performance picked up significantly, tallying 25 points in 43 games from early January through season’s end. He played second-line center behind star rookie Connor Bedard, scoring five goals and earning nine points in Chicago’s final nine matches.
Nazar also made his debut on the senior national team, quickly becoming one of the top players for the U.S., tying a long-standing record with 12 points in 10 games at the World Championship, helping end a gold medal drought.
Despite the Blackhawks’ struggles last season, Nazar remains optimistic. He reflected on memorable moments from his rookie year, like playing in the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field and witnessing Alex Ovechkin’s record-breaking goal against Chicago. With Jeff Blashill now coaching Chicago, Nazar is motivated to prove his worth next season.
This story appeared in the 2025 Champions issue, which highlights the Florida Panthers’ Stanley Cup victory, featuring stars like Seth Jones, Will Smith of the Sharks, and Kraken’s Riker Evans. Subscribers to Hockey News get full access to archives and can print the issue for free at Thn.com/free.
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Fan Take: Frank Nazar’s rapid rise and adaptability highlight a new generation of hockey talent ready to make a mark in the NHL. His journey from youth hockey in Detroit to becoming a pivotal player in Chicago signals exciting growth for the sport, promising thrilling seasons ahead for hockey fans.
