BLACKHAWKS FIRST ROUND PICK SIGNS IN ROCKFORD

Beach set to join the IceHogs

Rockford, Ill.- Chicago Blackhawks General Manager of Minor League Affiliations Mark Bernard announced on Friday that the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League have signed winger Kyle Beach to an ATO.

Beach was the Blackhawks first round draft pick (#11 overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old winger split his third full season in the Western Hockey League between the Everett Silvertips and Lethbridge Hurricanes.

The Kelowna, British Columbia native began the season in Everett and appeared in 30 games notching 9g-21a-30pts before getting traded to Lethbridge. Beach played the final 24 games of the regular season with the Hurricanes accumulating 15g-18a-33pts.

Beach helped guide Lethbridge into the WHL’s second round of the playoffs before bowing out to the top seed Calgary Hitman. The winger played in eight playoff games with the Hurricanes chipping in a goal, assist and 27 penalty minutes.

Next Home Game: Friday, April 10 vs. Peoria Rivermen. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. Rockford faces off against Peoria in the clubs’ 2008-09 regular season home finale. The first 1,000 fans to the game will pick up a Patrick Kane Bobblehead doll and the first 2,500 fans will receive an IceHogs Team Photo courtesy of Johnson Press. All fans can enter to win an IceHogs game worn jersey as the team will give away an entire set during Fan Appreciation Night. Also, the IceHogs will present their 2008-09 Team Awards prior to the game.