Day 2 of Chicago Blackhawks rookie camp involved a brief exchange of words that led to a skate cutting a player’s face and f-bombs hurled at teammates.

That builds team chemistry, according to Rockford IceHogs coach Jared Nightingale.

“Hockey is an emotional sport — I think it’s good,” Nightingale said. “I saw a couple players going at it. It’s not always a bad thing. I know we’re all waiting to play against something other than your own teammates. That brings teams together.”

The Hawks ran five-on-five drills to close out the second practice Thursday. Forward AJ Spellacy delivered a big hit on Aidan Thompson. While skating to the other side, defenseman Taige Harding’s skate inadvertently cut Spellacy on the cheek. Spellacy then punched Thompson in the back of the head on his way to the locker room.

The prospects would make amends at the end of practice, noting it was just the competitive juices flowing. Spellacy, with a cut on his face, dismissed the situation.

“They just glued it, so I got lucky (that) it wasn’t too bad,” he said. “I felt the skate to the face so I thought it was going to be worse, but I’m fine.

“That was just us being competitive. You’re scrimmaging and (that’s just) hockey. That was a competitive side of us.”

Things can get chippy when you’re battling with other players for NHL roster spots. The players encourage that energy, as it makes them and those around them better.

“You need to have high intensity like this — it brings everyone together,” Spellacy said. “Even when you’re battling against a guy, you get off the ice and you’re best buddies with him. It’s good for these practices (to have) everyone battle.”

With the competition ramping up, players continued to shift around with different position groups. Forward Ryan Greene skated with the defensemen, while Sam Rinzel returned to the defense after working with the forwards Wednesday.

“They’ve been making it hard for a reason to get us in shape for the upcoming games,” Greene said, referring to the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase on Saturday and Sunday in St. Paul, Minn. “It’s been really good getting to see all the boys again and work together out there.”

Nightingale is putting an emphasis on playing fast during rookie camp. After the first scrimmage, players such as Oliver Moore, who turned pro after two years at the University of Minnesota, are starting to feel the difference working with the Hawks.

“The Blackhawks development staff is obviously a big reason why I turned pro because they’re so hands-on with you,” Moore said. “We did a great job over the summer hammering down things that I can work on, and (I’m) looking to see that pay off here during the year.”

Added Spellacy: “I feel like I fit right into that playing style. It’s an easy transition to play fast. That’s my main attribute, playing fast and hard, and I think that’s where I can help.”

Defenseman Ty Henry, a 2024 sixth-round draft pick, stumbled in transition and slid legs first into the wall. He was carried off by medical staff and didn’t return. Nightingale said it was an ankle injury, with the severity unknown.

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