BLACKHAWKS AGREE TO TERMS WITH POKKA

Chicago, Ill. - The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have agreed to terms with defenseman Ville Pokka (VIHL-ee POH-kuh) on a one-year contract that runs through the 2017-18 season.

Pokka, 23, tied for the team lead (Erik Gustafsson) among Rockford IceHogs defensemen in points after he registered 30 (6G, 24A) during the 2016-17 season. He is the only member of the club to appear in all 76 regular-season games in each of the last two seasons.

The Tornio, Finland, native was named Rockford’s Best Defenseman during the 2015-16 campaign after setting career highs in goals (10), assists (35) and points (45). In 220 career AHL games spanning across three seasons, all with Rockford, he has tallied 105 points (24G, 81A). The blueliner was named to the AHL’s All-Rookie Team in 2014-15 after posting 8g-22a-30p. He won a silver medal with Finland at the 2016 IIHF World Championship and represented his country at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Pokka was acquired by the Blackhawks in a trade with the New York Islanders on Oct. 4, 2014. He was originally selected by the Islanders in the second round (34th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.

Season Tickets for 2017-18 on Sale Now: Don’t miss a moment of the action by reserving your seats for the IceHogs 19th season of professional hockey and 11th as the top AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. Opening night is Oct. 14 and ticket packages begin as low as $105 for a seven-game mini pack. Please contact us at (815) 847-6399 or visit icehogs.com to claim your spots for this upcoming season.