BARKER, JOHNSON AND NIEMI TO JOIN THE ICEHOGS

Trio added to Rockford’s roster

Rockford, Ill. – Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced Tuesday that the National League Hockey club has assigned three players to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League, defensemen Cam Barker and Aaron Johnson as well as goaltender Antti Niemi.

The Blackhawks’ first round draft pick in 2004, Barker split time last year with Rockford and Chicago. During his time with the IceHogs, the defenseman tallied eight goals and 11 assists in 29 games. With the Blackhawks, the Winnipeg native racked up six goals and 12 assists in 45 games.

Niemi, a Vantaa, Finland native, signed as a free agent with the Blackhawks on May 5, 2008. This will be the goaltender’s first stint in North America as a professional hockey player after having played his entire career in Finland.

Johnson played 30 games last season with the New York Islanders (NHL). The Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia native also appeared in two games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL). In total the blue-liner has played 146 games at the NHL level throughout his five year professional career with the Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Next Home Game: Friday, Oct. 10 vs. Quad City Flames. Game time is 7:30 p.m. The IceHogs begin its tenth season of professional hockey as the 2008-09 season gets underway. The first 5,000 fans to the game will receive an IceHogs Magnet Schedule from Dental Dimensions, Speedway Auto Mall, Guerilla Graffix and WTVO.