BLACKHAWKS RECALL LABARBERA, ASSIGN SIMPSON

Chicago, Ill.- The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have recalled goaltender Jason LaBarbera from the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. Additionally, the team has reassigned goaltender Kent Simpson to the IceHogs. LaBarbera will wear number 30 for the Blackhawks.

LaBarbera, 33, has appeared in seven games this season with Edmonton, posting a 1-3-0 record with a 3.28 goals-against average and a .870 save percentage. He has also earned a 0-1-1 record with a 1.93 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage in two appearances with the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League.

The Burnaby, British Columbia, native has seen action in 182 career National Hockey League games with the NY Rangers, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Phoenix and Edmonton, registering a 60-73-19 record with six shutouts, a 2.86 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage in those games. LaBarbera was named the AHL’s Most Valuable Player during the 2003-04 season and is a two-time winner of the Baz Bastein Trophy (2003-04, 2006-07) as the AHL’s Best Goaltender.

LaBarbera was originally selected by the Rangers in the third round, 66th overall, of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

Simpson, 21, made his NHL debut during his recall, appearing in 20:00 of relief duty on Dec. 14 at Toronto.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Dec. 21 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. Puck drop is 7 p.m. when the IceHogs take on their division rivals, the Milwaukee Admirals. The first 2,500 fans will receive a Bryan Bickell bobblehead, the first of three in the Champions series out this season, courtesy of Dental Dimensions.