Blackhawks Activate Pahlsson From IR, Reassign Pelletier To Rockford

From chicagoblackhawks.com: (link)

The Chicago Blackhawks have activated center Samuel Pahlsson (PAWL-suhn) from Injured Reserve. In addition, the Blackhawks have reassigned left wing Pascal Pelletier (pas-KAL PEHL-tyay) to the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs.

Pahlsson, 31, was acquired by Chicago from the Anaheim Ducks along with defenseman Logan Stephenson (STEE-vehn-suhn) and a conditional draft pick in exchange for defenseman James Wisniewski and center Petri Kontiola (PEH-tree, KAWN-tee-oh-la) on March 4. He will be available to make his Blackhawks debut when the team visits the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at 6:00 P.M. (CT). The game can be seen on Comcast SportsNet and heard on News/Talk 720 WGN Radio.

The Ange, Sweden, native has recorded 10 assists, 15 points and 32 penalty minutes in 52 games with Anaheim this season. Pahlsson led Ducks’ centers with a 54.0 faceoff winning percentage and ranked third among team forwards with an average time on ice of 18:30 per game. He has been on Injured Reserve since Feb. 2, missing his final 12 games with Anaheim and his first six contests with the Blackhawks.

Pahlsson is currently in his ninth National Hockey League campaign, collecting 143 points (52G, 91A) and 258 penalty minutes in 544 regular-season games with the Boston Bruins (2000-01) and Anaheim (2000-09). Pahlsson was a member of Anaheim’s 2007 Stanley Cup Championship squad, posting 12 points (3G, 9A) and 20 penalty minutes in 21 contests during their playoff run.

The Colorado Avalanche’s 10th pick, 176th overall, in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, Pahlsson has appeared in 64 Stanley Cup Playoff tilts, racking up 23 points (7G, 16A), while helping Anaheim reach the Finals twice (2003 and 2007). He captured a Gold Medal as a member of Team Sweden at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games.

Pelletier, 25, has been held scoreless in seven games with the Blackhawks this season. He leads Rockford and shares seventh in the AHL with 27 goals while ranking third on the club with 51 points in 58 contests.