Blackhawks Re-Sign Fraser; Ink Janik, Johnson

From ChicagoBlackhawks.com: (link)

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today the team has re-signed center Colin Fraser (6-1, 190) and signed free agent defensemen Aaron Johnson (6-2, 211) and Doug Janik (6-2, 210) to one-year contracts.

Johnson, 25, spent the 2007-08 campaign with the New York Islanders were he saw ice time in 30 games and registered two assists along with 30 penalty minutes. Since his rookie season in 2003-04, he has appeared in 146 NHL contests and totaled seven goals and 21 assists for 28 points along with 123 penalty minutes. Besides spending last season with the Islanders, he was with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 2003-04, 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. Johnson was originally drafted by Columbus in the third round (85th overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Janik, 28, has appeared in 146 career NHL matchups during his seven-year professional career, accruing 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) and 119 penalty minutes, which includes four points (one goal, three assists) and 45 penalty minutes in 61 contests with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season. The Agawam, Massachusetts, native spent five years in the Buffalo Sabres organization (2001-06) before joining the Lightning for the past two seasons. Prior to turning pro, Janik skated three seasons at the University of Maine (1998-2001), which includes helping the Black Bears capture the 1999 Division I National Championship during his freshman campaign in 1998-99.

Fraser, 23, appeared in five games with the Blackhawks last season, collecting seven penalty minutes. The Surrey, British Columbia, native recorded professional career highs with 17 goals, 41 points and 165 penalty minutes in 75 appearances last season with the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks’ American Hockey League affiliate. Fraser, the Philadelphia Flyers’ third pick (69th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, ranked second on Rockford in penalty minutes and plus/minus (+16) and placed fifth in points. He made his NHL debut when he appeared in one game with Chicago during the 2006-07 campaign.