Debut Didn't 'Feel Real' for Chicago Blackhawks Newbie Scott Darling

A Lemont native is living out his dream—and he couldn’t wait to share it with his family.

Newest Chicago Blackhawk Scott Darling made his debut in the net Sunday, notching 32 saves in a win over the Ottawa Senators.

The 6-foot-6, 230-pound goalie then returned home to a room filled with proud family—and bee-lined to his mom for a hug, he told WGN Radio.

His first night in a regular-season NHL net was a surreal moment, but one that he wouldn’t have had any other way.

“Once they offered me the contract, that was it,” Darling told host Steve Cochran. “There was no way i was going to sign with another team.”

Former Lemont High School student Darling signed as a free agent with the Blackhawks on July 1, 2014. He was originally selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the sixth round, 153rd overall, of the 2007 NHL Draft. He appeared in two games this season with Rockford, racking up a 2-0-0 record with a 1.44 goals-against average and .948 save percentage. He also played in two preseason contests with Chicago, stopping all 27 shots on goal en route to two wins in 91 minutes of action.

Catch the rest of the interview on WGN Radio.