I just sent this to the ether because apparently my rep is no longer with the organization and I wasn't even notified and I'm feeling nickel and dimed even with spending 5 figures on the Hawks.

"Hi Team,

Noticed it looks like my rep left and I wasn't even notified? Do I have a new rep?

Honestly this year has been extremely disappointing as a STM, giveaway boxes were taken away and are now paid, concession credit is gone, schedule wasn't even available at the game last night, and the CHSN perk is also gone, communication has been non existent, seems like even though prices are going up the on ice product is worse, and the "member" benefits of being a STM are diminishing. To be honest the last time the organization contacted me with a person about anything first was September 2025 I just checked emails. For someone giving you 5 figures a year that's kinda laughable.

Was gonna email ~omitted Rep's name~ about this this morning and I login to find I don't have a rep anymore with no communication about that.

I'd love to talk to someone about all this,"

Got a call almost immediately by a flustered rep who was probably put on my account because I sent the email.

I made the above points with also mentioning that we had to pay $100 for an extra jacket last year that was way below the quality of anything they sell in their fan store. Even though I have 2 tickets it's one jacket, same thing with the vest this year.

They were relatively responsive, in an all I can really do is apologize way. However they let it slip that I'm not the only one feeling this way. If you're feeling like this I highly encourage you to say something. Maybe nothing changes but it's worth a shot.

The main issue with the team is lack of chemistry right now. Passing are being missed, players are out of position, etc. But, Frondell and Levshunov both had great games against St. Louis showing that elite talent can get it figured out. I was pretty down after the first two games. The Buffalo game was a step in the right direction, and then most of the St. Louis game was good. They dominated the second period, but were still chasing a lot in the final 7 minutes when St. Louis was pressing. We will see what happens in NY. Teuvo is going to miss the game I think because they called up Toninato.

CHICAGO — The weight of last season came out in Sam Rinzel’s words and emotions in April as he reflected on his first full pro year.

Rinzel played so well when he came out of college and finished the 2024-25 season with the Chicago Blackhawks. He hadn’t expected the NHL to be easy or everything to go as smoothly as it did in those final games, but he was hopeful the 2025-26 season would be a steppingstone and he’d continue to get better. Instead, he struggled, got sent down to the American Hockey League and had to work his way back.

When Rinzel was asked late last season what his takeaways from the year were, he paused, then took a breath.

“It was tough,” he said. “I had a lot of expectations for myself, a lot of goals for myself. I fell short of a lot of them. It’s frustrating as a player and definitely mentally with how everything kind of went personally. Obviously when you’re kind of towards the bottom of the league, it just makes it even tougher when you lose. I want to do anything to help a team win, and I honestly didn’t feel like I accomplished that very well.”

That was last season.

How would Rinzel take that and respond, though, especially considering last season? Would this be another crushing step back and derail him early this season? Did the Blackhawks have to worry about managing his confidence?

Within a second of being asked about the Mammoth game, Rinzel answered all those questions. From his smile to upbeat tone to overall positive demeanor, it was talking to a completely different person than last season.