Blackhawks activate G Petr Mrazek from injured reserve

The Chicago Blackhawks activated goaltender Petr Mrazek off injured reserve on Thursday.

In a related move, Chicago assigned goalie Drew Commesso to AHL affiliate Rockford.

The Blackhawks will start Arvid Soderblom in net on Thursday night when the Seattle Kraken visit, but Mrazek will back him up.

Mrazek, 32, had missed five games with a left groin injury suffered Dec. 7. Soderblom has carried the team since then, as the Blackhawks went 3-2 in that time following a five-game losing streak.

"It's a relief that it wasn't anything serious," Mrazek told reporters Thursday. "I felt I was just being more careful with it. In the past you stay in the net and you get it worse. Dealing with that and then with the flu, everything in one, was the thing. Just get through it and get back on track."

Mrazek has gone 7-11-1 this season with a 2.83 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.

In 13 NHL seasons with the Detroit Red Wings (2012-18), Philadelphia Flyers (2018), Carolina Hurricanes (2018-21), Toronto Maple Leafs (2021-22) and Chicago, he has gone 175-166-39 with a 2.80 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.

The Blackhawks (11-19-2, 24 points) are tied with Central Division rival Nashville for the fewest points in the NHL entering Thursday's play.

--Field Level Media