BLACKHAWKS ACQUIRE LABARBERA

Chicago, Ill. - The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have acquired goaltender Jason LaBarbera from the Edmonton Oilers, in exchange for future considerations. LaBarbera will be assigned to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.

LaBarbera, 33, has appeared in seven games this season with Edmonton, posting a 1-3-0 record with a 3.28 goals-against average and a .870 save percentage. He has also earned a 0-1-1 record with a 1.93 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage in two appearances with the Oklahoma City Barons of the AHL.

The Burnaby, British Columbia, native has seen action in 182 career National Hockey League games with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Phoenix and Edmonton, registering a 60-73-19 record with six shutouts, a 2.86 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage in those games. LaBarbera was named the AHL’s Most Valuable Player during the 2003-04 season and is a two-time winner of the Baz Bastein Trophy (2003-04, 2006-07) as the AHL’s Best Goaltender.

LaBarbera was originally selected by the Rangers in the third round, 66th overall, of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.