BLACKHAWKS ASSIGN FOUR SKATERS TO ROCKFORD

IceHogs training camp roster expands to 24

Rockford, Ill.- Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced Monday that the National Hockey League club has assigned forwards Bryan Bickell, Mike Blunden, Jake Dowell and defenseman Tim Hambly to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.

Bickell, Blunden and Dowell all played integral roles in Rockford’s success in 2007-08. Bickell was named the IceHogs Most Improved Player last season after notching 19 goals and 39 points. The Orono, Ontario native appeared in four games with Chicago last season and has played seven overall in the NHL during his first two seasons.

Blunden was coming off an injury-shortened season in 2007-08. In 73 games with Rockford, the winger potted 16 goals and added 21 assists. Blunden also skated in a game with the Blackhawks in ’07-08 had has played in 10 career NHL games during his first two pro campaigns.

Dowell split a good portion of his first full pro season between Rockford and Chicago. In 19 games with the Blackhawks, Dowell had a goal and two assists. The Madison, Wis. native scored a goal in his NHL debut on Thanksgiving last fall in Calgary. A penalty kill specialist, Dowell had seven goals and 10 assists in 47 games with Rockford.

Hambly was an opponent of the IceHogs last season as he played in 72 games for the Quad City Flames. Signed by the Blackhawks over the summer, the defenseman had four goals and 26 assists with the Flames. The 2008-09 season marks the White Bear Lake, Minn. native’s fourth at the pro level.

Season Tickets And Individual Tickets Now On Sale: The Rockford IceHogs have a variety of season ticket packages available for the 2008-09 season. To find a package that works for you, call (815) 986-6465 and speak with a season ticket sales executive. Individual game tickets are also on sale. Call (815) 968-5222, visit www.metrocentre.com, at the MetroCentre Box Office or in Hogs Headquarters in CherryVale Mall to purchase your tickets for the IceHogs 10th Anniversary season.