BLACKHAWKS ACQUIRE FORWARD ALEX NYLANDER FROM BUFFALO

ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Chicago Blackhawks, the National Hockey League affiliate of the Rockford IceHogs announced today that they have acquired forward Alex Nylander from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defenseman Henri Jokiharju.

Nylander, 21, recorded four points (two goals, two assists) in 12 games with the Sabres during the 2018-19 campaign and registered a career-high 12 goals and matched a career-high with 19 assists in 49 games with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.

Selected in the first round (8^th overall) of the 2016 National Hockey League Draft, Nylander made his NHL debut on April 3, 2017 vs. Toronto. Spanning three seasons (2017-19) with Buffalo, he notched three markers and three helpers in 19 games. In 165 career regular-season games with Rochester, Nylander scored 86 points (30 goals, 56 assists), while also playing in three Calder Cup Playoff games.

A Swedish native, Nylander helped his country to a silver medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship and named a Top Three Player on Sweden after sharing the team lead with seven points (one goal, six assists) during the tournament.

Alex’s father, Michael, played for the Blackhawks from 1999-2002 totaling 180 points (63 goals, 117 assists) in 239 games. He also skated in five postseason games with the Blackhawks, tallying three assists. Over a 15-year career in the NHL, he dressed in 920 regular-season games while tallying 679 points (209 goals, 470 assists). His brother, William, just completed his fourth season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Jokiharju, 20, skated in 30 games with the IceHogs last season, netting two goals and 15 assists for 17 points in 30 contests including his first professional goal in his first AHL game on February 1 vs. Chicago. The Oulu, Finland, product added 12 assists in 38 games with the Blackhawks during his rookie campaign.

Season Tickets for 2019-20 on Sale Now:
Don’t miss a moment of the action next season. Reserve your seats for the IceHogs’ 21st season of professional hockey in Rockford and 13th as the top AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. The IceHogs’ home opener is set for Saturday, Oct. 12 vs. Grand Rapids and ticket packages begin as low as $132 for an eight-game mini pack. Contact us at (815) 847-6399 or visit IceHogs.com to claim your seats for this upcoming season.