The N-H-L’s Chicago Blackhawks depart for Europe Thursday…and Kirby Dach is going with them.

Chicago G-M Stan Bowman added Dach is not expected to appear in either the exhibition game in Berlin on Sunday or the season opener in Prague a week from Friday. The 18-year-old centre has been in concussion protocol since the start of training camp, but has been skating on his own for almost a week now. He joined his teammates after the morning skate Wednesday, which is another positive step as he inches closer to practicing with the team. The Hawks host Washington in one of nine N-H-L pre-season games Wednesday evening.