Rockford, Ill. - The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with forward Peter LeBlanc on a one-year contract for the 2012-13 season.
LeBlanc, 24, shares the team lead with 23 goals, and ranks second on the club with 43 points (23G, 20A) in 70 regular-season games for the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs this year in his first full AHL campaign. His 70 tilts in a Rockford uniform are tops among team forwards. LeBlanc also accrued a club-leading 12 penalty minutes in three 2011 preseason contests with the Blackhawks.
The Hamilton, Ontario, native has registered 35 goals, 38 assists and 26 penalty minutes in 127 career AHL regular-season tilts with the IceHogs, and last season tallied 22 points (8G, 14A) in 22 games with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye. LeBlanc was selected by Chicago in the seventh round (186th overall) of the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft, and played four seasons at the University of New Hampshire before making his pro debut in 2010-11.
Next Home Game: Saturday, April 14 vs. Charlotte Checkers. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs conclude the 2011-12 regular season against the Checkers. Saturday is Fan Appreciation Night at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The first 5,000 fans through the doors will receive an IceHogs team photo sponsored by the Rockford Register Star, plus all fans will have the opportunity to win a variety of prizes including Blackhawks playoff tickets. After each whistle, the IceHogs will give away gift certificates and special offers from local businesses. In addition, fans will have the chance to win a jersey off the back of a current IceHogs skater following Saturday’s game.