The Chicago Blackhawks are known to model the operation of their American Hockey League franchise to resemble that of an NHL organization. Similar to the Detroit Red Wings preaching patience in their drafting and development model through their minor league system, the Blackhawks’ young prospects are given time to properly develop and flourish in Rockford prior to joining the big club.

While the Blackhawks anticipate their Western Conference Final matchup against the Anaheim Ducks, their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, have their sights set on a playoff run of their own. Rockford is relying heavily on a number of Blackhawks’ prospects, including 2011 first round pick (18^th overall) Mark McNeill.

The 22-year old, playing in his second AHL campaign, led the IceHogs in scoring this season with 23 goals and 21 assists, good for 44 points in 63 games and is gaining valuable experience in a high-pressure playoff atmosphere. After sweeping the defending Calder Cup Champion Texas Stars in the opening round of the post-season, the IceHogs are currently trailing 2-0 in their second-round matchup against the Grand Rapids Griffins.

McNeill says his team looks to feed off the atmosphere from its home fans as they try to equalize the series. “Just the energy that our fans give us is amazing”, says McNeill. “They’re always supporting us, screaming, and making noise. It’s something that we like to feed off of.”

Despite being down 2-0 in the series, McNeill has a positive outlook on his team’s chances. “I think one area we’re really looking to improve is to play a full 60 minutes. We’re feeling positive and feeling good about ourselves right now. We’ve had a couple days off. It’s going to be nice to be back in Rockford and we’re all ready to go.”

McNeill has developed a strong bond with fellow Blackhawks prospects Phillip Danault and Garret Ross, who like McNeill, were both former Canadian Hockey League players. McNeill and Danault were both first round picks of the Blackhawks in 2011, while Ross was a fifth rounder in 2012. The three are not only linemates, but they are also roommates in Rockford.

“The three of us have really good chemistry and we feed off each other on the ice.  I’m pretty blessed to be surrounded by such a great group of people. When you talk about playing with some guys here in Rockford and then hopefully playing with them again in the NHL, I think that’s great.”

It is a difficult task to crack any NHL roster, but arguably no NHL organization has more organizational depth than the Chicago Blackhawks. McNeill has participated in previous training camps with the Blackhawks, but this coming Fall represents perhaps his best shot at the big club.

McNeill realizes the challenge ahead of him and continues to identify and address potential areas of improvement toward solidifying a full-time gig at the NHL level. “I’m never going to be satisfied where I’m at, whether it’s my team or my level of play,” says McNeill. “I’m always going to keep pushing forward and trying getting better, keep pushing the envelope.”

While the two-way center has his sights set on making the Blackhawks, he remains focused on the current challenges with the IceHogs. “As far as getting to the next level, that’s something that’s in the back of my mind. I’m going to keep pushing and working towards it.”

Prior to joining Rockford, McNeill played four seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League. He experienced a learning curve adjusting to the pro game, but has gained an understanding of what it really takes to thrive at the next level. “It was a pretty major jump for me. You’re not playing against boys anymore, you’re playing against men. That’s a huge factor.  The speed is higher at the pro level too so that’s something you adjust too.  I think I did a pretty good job at that.”

The Edmonton-native has an impressive background with Hockey Canada, including suiting up in the red and white at the 2013 World Junior Championships. Many of his World Junior teammates have gone on to make the jump to the NHL, including Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin, Morgan Rielly, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Jonathan Huberdeau, to name a few. Despite being spread out throughout the hockey world, McNeill still connects with many of his former junior counterparts. “I definitely stay in touch with some of the guys I used to play with. I think that’s important.”

While he has developed his game on the ice through two seasons with Rockford, McNeill has also grown as a person and professional. He realizes the importance of preparation, maturity, and attitude. “That’s part of the process. I think I’ve done a good job in getting better at becoming a pro.  Knowing what I need to do both physically and mentally before a game to get ready.”

When it comes to organizational culture, McNeill understands the importance of hard work and never taking a shift off. “I’ll give it to you straightforward. Losing is not acceptable within the Blackhawks organization. That’s something that’s always in your mind. You play every game to win.”

As his team looks to advance in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs, McNeill is focused on leading by example with his work ethic in hopes of parlaying his success into a role at the NHL level in the near future.