BLACKHAWKS ACQUIRE PINEAULT FROM COLUMBUS

Blunden sent to Columbus

Chicago, Ill.-Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced that the National Hockey League club has acquired right wing Adam Pineault (pih-NOH) from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for right wing Mike Blunden and have assigned him to the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs.

Pineault, 22, has recorded 12 points (five goals, seven assists) and 36 penalty minutes in 28 games with the American Hockey League’s Syracuse Crunch this season. The Holyoke, Massachusetts native was held scoreless in three games last season during his National Hockey League debut with the Blue Jackets.

The Blue Jackets’ second pick (46th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Pineault, spent the majority of the 2007-08 season with Syracuse, ranking fourth on the squad with 21 goals and fifth with 27 assists and 48 points – all professional career highs – in 74 contests. He made his professional debut with the Crunch in 2006-07, collecting 12 goals and 28 points in 57 games.

Prior to turning pro, Pineault recorded 105 points (55 goals, 50 assists) in 116 career games spanning two seasons (2004-06) with the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats. He spent the 2003-04 season as the youngest player in Division I, racking up eight points (four goals, four assists) and 30 penalty minutes in 28 tilts with Boston College (Hockey East).

Blunden, 22, accrued 10 penalty minutes in 10 games with the Blackhawks in parts of 2006-07 and 2007-08. The Toronto native tallied seven assists, 10 points and 42 penalty minutes in 37 games with Rockford this season.

Pineault is expected to be in Rockford in time for tonight’s game against the Toronto Marlies at 7:05 p.m.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Jan. 10 vs. Toronto Marlies. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Rockford welcomes the Marlies to the MetroCentre for the only time in 2008-09. The first 2,000 fans to the game on Saturday will receive an IceHogs baseball hat courtesy of Frito Lay, Pepsi, WXRX and WIFR. It's also a Skate with the Hogs, so bring your ice skates to get on the ice after the game.