BLACKHAWKS SIGN ALIU TO THREE YEAR DEAL

Chicago, Ill.- Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced on Monday that the National Hockey League club has signed right wing Akim Aliu (6-3, 216) to a three-year contract.

Aliu, 19, ranked third on the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights with a career-high 61 points (28 goals, 33 assists) and paced the squad with 133 penalty minutes in 60 regular-season games last season. Chicago’s third choice (56th overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Aliu also made his professional debut last year, posting two penalty minutes in two contests with the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs after being signed to an Amateur Tryout Contract on April 4, 2008.

A native of Okene, Nigeria, Aliu notched 58 goals, 123 points and 316 penalty minutes in 160 career regular-season OHL tilts with the Windsor Spitfires (2005-06), Sudbury Wolves (2005-07) and Knights. He also chipped in 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) and 72 penalty minutes in 32 postseason contests, which includes helping Sudbury reach the OHL Finals in 2007.

Season Tickets Now On Sale: The Rockford IceHogs have a variety of season ticket packages available for the 2008-09 season. To find a package that works for you, call (815) 986-6465 and speak with a season ticket sales executive.