BLACKHAWKS REASSIGN DOWELL TO ROCKFORD

Chicago, Ill.- Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced on Sunday that the national HockeyLeague club has reassigned center Jake Dowell (DOW-uhl) to the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs.

Dowell, 24, made his season debut with the Blackhawks during yesterday’s 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena, posting a +1 plus/minus rating and two penalty minutes in 13:37 of action. He ranks second on Rockford with 128 penalty minutes and has recorded 14 assists and 20 points in 75 AHL games this season.

The Eau Claire, Wisconsin, native made his National Hockey League debut in 19 games with the Blackhawks last season, collecting two goals, three points and 10 penalty minutes. He netted his first career NHL goal, a short-handed strike, in his first game on Nov. 22 at Calgary.

The Blackhawks’ 10th choice (140th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Dowell also appeared in 49 regular-season games with the IceHogs last season during his first professional campaign, notching 17 points (7G, 10A) and 64 penalty minutes. He helped Rockford reach the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, accruing two points (G, A) and six penalty minutes in 12 postseason tilts.

Dowell has appeared in 152 career AHL games since turning pro at the end of the 2006-07 season, racking up 210 penalty minutes and 45 points (17G, 28A) with the Norfolk Admirals (2007) and Rockford (2007-09).

Prior to turning pro, Dowell spent four seasons at the University of Wisconsin, tallying 90 points (42G, 48A) and 214 penalty minutes in 159 games from 2003 to 2007. Dowell helped the Badgers earn the 2006 NCAA Championship along with current teammate Adam Burish.