Blackhawks Acquire Former 31st Overall Pick McCoshen

ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have acquired defenseman Ian McCoshen (EE-uhn muh-KAH-shuhn) from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Aleksi Saarela (al-EHX-ee sah-REH-lah). McCoshen’s two-way contract has an AAV of $700,000 and is signed through the 2019-20 season. He will report to the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs.

McCoshen, 24, recorded four assists in seven games with the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL this season. He spent time with the Panthers and Thunderbirds during the 2018-19 campaign, logging two points (1g, 1a) in 19 games with Florida and nine assists in 38 AHL contests with Springfield.

Selected by the Panthers in the second round (31st overall) of the 2013 National Hockey League Draft, McCoshen made his NHL debut and tallied an assist on April 6, 2017. He played a career-high 38 games during the 2017-18 season with the Panthers, tallying career best marks in goals (3) and points (4). Overall, he has combined for seven points (4g, 3a) in 60 career NHL games with Florida and 30 points (4g, 26a) in 115 career AHL games with the Thunderbirds.

The Anaheim, California native represented his country at the 2014 and 2015 U20 World Junior Championships. McCoshen played also collegiately at Boston College from 2013-16, serving as an alternate captain in 2015-16 and earning a selection to the 2016 Hockey East Second All-Star Team with his 21 points (6g, 15a) in 40 games.

Saarela, 22, made his IceHogs debut on Oct. 4 at Iowa. He tallied an assist in Rockford's most recent game, a 3-2 overtime win at Chicago on Oct. 19, and combined over his five total AHL appearances to rank second among Hogs skaters with 16 shots on goal.

Saarela was originally acquired by Chicago with defenseman Calvin de Haan from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Gustav Forsling and goaltender Anton Forsberg on June 24, 2019.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, Oct. 30 vs. San Antonio Rampage | 7 p.m.
The IceHogs return to the BMO Harris Bank Center to host the San Antonio Rampage. Wednesday’s contest is a Dogs Days game, where fans are invited to bring their dog to the BMO for the evening's game. In addition, hot dogs will be available for just $2.