Winger made 2009-10 debut with Blackhawks on Thursday
Chicago, Ill.- Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman announced Friday that the National Hockey League club has returned left wing Bryan Bickell to the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs.
Bickell, 23, was held without a point but led the team with five hits in 6:46 of ice time on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit. It was his first appearance with the Blackhawks since the 2007-08 season, when he skated in four games. He is expected to join the IceHogs in Hamilton, Ontario.
The Bowmanville, Ontario, native appeared in 42 games with the IceHogs in 2008-09, recording six goals, eight assists and 60 penalty minutes. He has notched two goals in seven career games with the Blackhawks.
Bickell was selected #41 overall (round 2) by Chicago in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 163 career AHL regular season contests with the Norfolk Admirals (2006-07) and IceHogs (2007-09) since turning pro in 2006, registering 35 goals, 43 assists, 78 points and 178 penalty minutes.
The winger spent four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Ottawa 67’s and Windsor Spitfires, notching 190 points (94g-96a) and 235 penalty minutes in 242 career regular season outings.
Next Home Game: Friday, Oct. 16 vs. Chicago Wolves. Game time is 7:05 p.m. After five straight road tilts to open the 2009-10 regular season the IceHogs return home to face the Wolves. The first 5,000 fans to the game will pick up an IceHogs wall calendar from Maverick Media and 23 WIFR.