Crawford, 23, appeared in a National Hockey League career-high five games with the Blackhawks last season, registering a 1-2 record with a 2.14 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. He spent the majority of the 2007-08 campaign with the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks’ American Hockey League affiliate, posting a 29-19-5 record with 2.83 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.

Chicago’s second choice (52nd overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Crawford also made two appearances with the Blackhawks during the 2005-06 season as a rookie. The Montreal, Quebec, native has amassed 89 wins in 163 career AHL tilts spanning his three-year professional career with the Norfolk Admirals and IceHogs (2005-08), helping his squad reach the postseason in each season.