Rockford, Ill. - The Chicago Blackhawks have returned forward Ben Smith on loan to the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs.
Smith, 23, tallied his second goal of the season with the Blackhawks in their 5-2 win over Columbus on Tuesday. In nine regular-season tilts with Chicago this season, Smith has two points (2g) and 12 shots. Additionally, the Avon, Connecticut, native shares the Rockford team lead with five power-play goals and ranks second on the club with 0.95 points-per-game in 19 AHL tilts. Originally selected by the Blackhawks in the sixth round (169th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Smith has registered 10 goals, eight assists and four penalty minutes this year for the IceHogs.
Smith skated in 63 games for the IceHogs during the 2010-11 season, finishing the campaign with 19 goals and 31 points (19g-12a) during his first professional season. For his efforts, Smith was named the IceHogs 2010-11 Rookie of the Year.
Next Home Game: Monday, Jan. 16 vs. Texas Stars. Game time is 1:05 p.m. The IceHogs return home for the first time in more than two weeks for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. matinee game to take on the Stars for the second and final time at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The first 1,500 kids 14 and under will pick up an IceHogs Drawstring Bag courtesy of Frito Lay.
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