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Blackhawks' Cumiskey embracing the chance to play

Dennis Wierzbicki / USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Kyle Cumiskey is taking advantage of every opportunity he gets.

After being slotted into the lineup following a season-ending injury to Michal Rozsival, Cumiskey got his chance to show his worth, a chance he is surprised came around.

"It's a little bit surreal, I guess you could say," Cumiskey told reporters Saturday. "A couple months ago, I was playing down in the AHL, and I was maybe hoping to get a few more AHL games, just in the regular season or something. But I end up playing in a big series like this. It's really exciting and I'm very happy about it, obviously."

Cumiskey got his start in the NHL back during the 2006-07 season, but after spending parts of five seasons going from the NHL to the AHL and back again, the 28-year-old found permanent residence in the American League following the 2011 season.

It wasn't until this season when Cumiskey got another taste of the NHL, suiting up in seven games for the Blackhawks.

Being able to play in the conference final against the Anaheim Ducks, Cumiskey is hoping he can use the opportunity to make something for himself.

"I just wanted to prove that I can still play in this League and hopefully it will lead to getting a contract with the (Blackhawks) or with another team next year," Cumiskey said. "I'm not worried about that right now, obviously, but we'll just see what happens."

Cumiskey will become an unrestricted free agent at season's end. He has been held pointless in his two games during the postseason.

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