Watch CBS News

Emma: Trevor van Riemsdyk Gaining More Trust From Joel Quenneville

By Chris Emma--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Not long after the Blackhawks hoisted the Stanley Cup on home ice last season, defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk counted his blessings.

It came during a quiet moment at home, away from the summer with Stanley. Reflections on such success are only natural.

"Especially this past year," van Riemsdyk said. "With all that went on, you kind of look back to where it all started and realize how lucky you are to be part of such a great organization."

It all started for van Riemsdyk during training camp in fall 2014, in which the New Jersey native had to earn a spot on the roster. He won over the Blackhawks brass.

van Riemsdyk had been a promising prospect coming out of New Hampshire but suffered a broken ankle during January of his senior season of college. His draft stock plummeted, and he went unpicked. The Blackhawks gave him a chance. In turn, they continued a trend of finding diamonds in the rough -- van Riemsdyk, Andrew Shaw, Scott Darling and more.

"They do their research on guys," Darling said. "Not everybody is a first-round draft pick and was the best at every level they've played at their whole life. Guys take different paths here. I think this organization is open to that. They assess the player, the person they are now. It goes to show with some of the guys they've found over the years that have come to help the team."

As a Blackhawks rookie in 2014-'15, van Riemsdyk faced injury adversity once again. He suffered a fractured knee just 18 games into his NHL career, then injured his wrist during the rehab assignment in Rockford. Still, van Riemsdyk stayed positive and worked his way back to the Blackhawks for the championship series.

When the Blackhawks reached the Stanley Cup Final, coach Joel Quenneville trusted the rusty rookie with ice time and played him in each of the final four games of the series. It was something he'll forever cherish.

"It was an unbelievable experience," van Riemsdyk said. "I'm grateful that they did it. To win a Cup there in my first year -- even being a tiny, tiny part of it -- was special."

van Riemsdyk, 24, is just getting started with his young NHL career. Quenneville's still trusting him with major ice time and responsibilities. He's repaid the coach with consistent play.

This season, van Riemsdyk hasn't missed a game, playing in each of Chicago's 56 contests amid a run to the spot atop the Western Conference. While van Riemsdyk had a small role in the championship run of last season, he's making a much larger impact with this team.

"I feel he's getting better as we go along this year," Quenneville said. "He had a great start last year just getting into our league, but he's been a really good fit. He's helped our defense."

Darling marveled at how van Riemsdyk "didn't skip a beat" in his return for the Stanley Cup Final. It's a credit to the defenseman's willingness to work.

To van Riemsdyk's right in the Blackhawks' dressing room are Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson, each mainstays in the organization. Those are models of consistency on the Blackhawks' blue line. He hopes to enjoy a similar type of career in Chicago.

"This is an unbelievable organization," he said. "They do everything the right way, they're first class, they treat you really well. They've done nothing but great things for me and treated me with a great deal of respect. I have so much respect for them for what they've done with this team. I'm just happy to be a part of it."

Before the championship ride in 2015 season began, van Riemsdyk started by impressing the Blackhawks in training camp. He's still making a strong impression.

Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.