Official site of the Rockford IceHogs
Proud Affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Reassign Niemi To Rockford

Ice Hogs Primary Logo
From chicagoblackhawks.com: (link)

The Chicago Blackhawks have reassigned goaltender Antti Niemi (AN-tee, nee-YEH-mee) to the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs. Niemi will be available to play for the IceHogs tonight when they face off against the Peoria Rivermen at Carver Arena at 7:00 P.M.

Niemi, 25, who did not appear in any games with the Blackhawks after being recalled on Feb. 12, leads Rockford with a 2.47 goals-against average and two shutouts, and has notched a 13-12-2 record with a .910 save percentage in 29 games during his North American professional debut.

The Vantaa, Finland, native was signed by the Blackhawks as a free agent on May 5, 2008, after spending the previous three years in the Finnish Elite League with the Pelicans of SM-Liiga. Last season, he notched a 26-6-14 mark with a 2.35 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in 49 appearances with the Pelicans. He recorded 56 wins (56-44-29) and a 2.71 goals-against average in three seasons of action in Finland’s top professional league.