SAN JOSE, Calif. — It has been more than a month since Jordan Hendry has played for the Blackhawks.
While being a healthy scratch for 13 consecutive games, the defenseman has battled hard not let just watching games in street clothes affect him too much.
“It has been pretty mentally tough,” said Hendry, whose last appearance was Nov. 7 against the Oilers. “It’s tough not to get down (but) if you look at the other side of the coin, things could be a lot worse. They could have sent me down or could have sent me to another team. I love Chicago and love playing for the Blackhawks. I’ll just wait for my chance and hopefully do well when I get in.”
That chance could be as soon as Saturday night at HP Pavilion as coach Joel Quenneville said after Friday’s practice “we’re looking to get (Hendry in against the Sharks).”
Hendry played in 11 of the Hawks’ first 17 games before losing time to Jassen Cullimore as Quenneville sought more consistency from Hendry, who has no points and is a minus-2 this season.
“No one wants to sit out,” Hendry said. “That’s why we’re here — we all want to play. That’s good for the team and good for all of us. It creates a little competition and I think it only makes everyone better.
“(Quenneville) says, ‘Be patient and keep working hard in practice — it’s a long season,’ ” Hendry said. “Hopefully there are no injuries to our team but things happen and I just have to ready for the call.”
No thanks: Winger John Scott, who has 13 regular-season fights in his NHL career and has yet to lose, said he challenged the Stars’ Adam Burish to drop the gloves Wednesday night but the former Hawks forward declined.
“I was a little upset because I heard (Burish) was saying stuff in the media about how he was going to fight me and chop down the redwood tree and stuff like that,” said Scott, who stands 6 feet 8 without skates. “I asked him to fight when I grabbed him by the throat and he looked me off. After that it was kind of nothing.”
Rested up: Dave Bolland practiced Friday with teammates in San Jose after sitting out Thursday’s practice in Chicago.
“Everything’s fine,” Bolland said. “It was just a little day to have fun with. Everybody has bumps and bruises through the year so it’s always good to get them healed.”
Bolland said he has had no issues with his back, which he had surgery on last season that limited the veteran to 39 regular-season games during 2009-10.
“My back’s actually stronger than it ever has been,” Bolland said. “I haven’t had any problems with it this year. I keep my maintenance up with it. It’s something that’s a big deal in hockey (because) you’re always getting smashed around. It’s good to keep ahead on that one.”
One timer: Cullimore is expected to play against the Sharks after missing Thursday’s practice with a lower-body injury.
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