McCarthy among top prospects

Think Mike Smith, the Blackhawks manager of hockey operations, hasa lot to do?

The Hockey News staff sure does. They rated the Hawks' prospects26th out of the league's 28 teams.

Defenseman Steve McCarthy, 19, was rated the Hawks' top prospect.The Hockey News ranked McCarthy No. 22 on its list of the NHL's top50 future players.

"That's a compliment, I guess," said McCarthy, who was at theUnited Center Sunday.

He still has his left arm in a sling after undergoing a two-houroperation on his left shoulder Thursday to tighten the joint so thathis shoulder would no longer pop out of place.

McCarthy plans on returning to Chicago during the summer and trainin hopes of making the team next season. McCarthy started the seasonwith the Hawks and appeared in five games, scoring a goal and addingan assist.

The Hawks have every reason to believe McCarthy, a smart playerwith plenty of character, will be in their lineup next season. So,too, does McCarthy, who thinks returning to his junior team thisseason was the correct course.

"They didn't think I was ready and, more importantly, I didn'tthink I was ready," McCarthy said. "I went back and worked on thingslike reading the game and improving my strength. Hopefully, I'll bein their plans."

PELLICO SERVICE: A memorial service for Frank Pellico Sr., fatherof Blackhawks organist Frank Pellico Jr., is scheduled for 7 p.m.Thursday. The service will take place at Lutheran Church of the HolyApostle, on the corner of 91st Street and 82nd Avenue, in HickoryHills.