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Blackhawks agree to terms with Michael Frolik, Sami Lepisto

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From chicagoblackhawks.com: (link)

The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with left wing Michael Frolik (fro-LEEK) on a three-year contract, and defenseman Sami Lepisto (LEH-pihs-toh) on a one-year contract.

Frolik, 23, posted nine points (3G, 6A) in 28 games with the Blackhawks last season after being acquired from the Florida Panthers on February 9. The Kladno, Czech Republic, native finished tied for seventh on Chicago with a career-high 27 assists and ranked eighth with 38 points in 80 combined regular-season contests in 2010-11. He tied for fourth in goals (2) and assists (3) and shared fifth with five points in seven tilts during his Stanley Cup Playoff debut with the Blackhawks in April. Frolik netted the first postseason penalty shot goal in franchise history on April 24 in Game 6 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against Vancouver.

Frolik has registered 53 goals and 126 points in 241 career regular-season games spanning three seasons with Florida (2008-11) and Chicago. He has finished as one of Florida’s top-three goal scorers, and top-five point producers in each of his first two NHL seasons and led the Panthers in even-strength assists and points at the time of his trade to the Blackhawks. He was the 10th overall pick of the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft (Florida).

Following the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Frolik helped the Czech Republic capture the Bronze Medal at the World Championships, collecting three goals and five points during is tournament debut. He has also represented his country in seven different World Junior Championships or World Junior Under-18 Championships.

Lepisto, 26, collected career highs in goals (four), assists (12) and points (16) while adding 55 penalty minutes in 70 regular-season games with the Phoenix Coyotes and Columbus Blue Jackets last season. The Espoo, Finland, native notched four goals and 11 points in 51 contests with Phoenix before being acquired by Columbus on February 28, where he dished out five assists in 19 tilts. He finished second on Columbus with a +10 plus/minus rating.

Lepisto has racked up 27 assists and 32 points in 150 career regular-season games with the Washington Capitals (2007-09), Coyotes (2009-11) and Blue Jackets. He also tallied one goal in seven Stanley Cup Playoff tilts with Phoenix in 2010. Washington’s sixth pick, 66th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Lepisto played four pro seasons in Finland for Jokerit from 2003 to 2007 and has represented his country in the Olympics (2010), World Championships (2008) and World Juniors (2004).