The Chicago Blackhawks have set their regular-season opening roster, which consists of 13 forwards, eight defensemen and three goaltenders. The roster features 18 players that were part of the club's run to the 2009 Western Conference Final.
Chicago, which finished the preseason with a 2-3-1 record, opens its 82nd regular season against the Florida Panthers in Helsinki, Finland as part of NHL Premiere 2009 on Friday, October 2 at 11:00 A.M. (CT). The teams face off again in Helsinki on Saturday, October 3 at 11:00 A.M. (CT) before the Blackhawks make their 2009-10 debut in North America at the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, October 8.