BRISEBOIS ASSIGNED TO ROCKFORD

BLACKHAWKS ACQUIRE RUNDBLAD AND BRISEBOIS

Chicago, Ill.- The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have acquired defensemen David Rundblad (RUHND-blahd) and Mathieu Brisebois (BREEZE-bwah) from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2014 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Rundblad will join the Blackhawks, while Brisebois will report directly to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.

Rundblad, 23, has appeared in 12 games with the Coyotes this season, posting one assist. He has recorded nine points (1g, 8a) in 50 career NHL games with Ottawa and Phoenix, making his NHL debut on Oct. 11, 2011 with the Senators. He was originally selected by St. Louis in the first round, 17th overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

The Lycksele, Sweden, native has also recorded 59 points (16g, 43a) in 86 American Hockey League games with the Portland Pirates. Prior to his North American career, Rundblad tallied 73 points (12g, 61a) in 153 games with Skelleftea of the Swedish Hockey League from 2007 to 2011.

Rundblad has represented his native Sweden in international competition five times, including a silver medal in the 2011 World Championships, as well as a silver (2009) and bronze (2010) in the World Junior Championships.

Brisebois, 21, has recorded six points (1g, 5a) in 28 games during his first professional season with the AHL’s Portland Pirates. He made his pro debut with the Pirates on Oct. 9 vs. Manchester, recorded his first point (1a) on Dec. 8 at Providence and scored his first goal on Jan. 6 at St. John’s.

Prior to his professional career, Brisebois tallied 154 points (39g, 115a) in 210 career Quebec Major Junior Hockey League games with Lewiston and Rouyn-Noranda from 2009 to 2013. He was selected to the QMJHL Second All-Star Team and was named as one of three finalists for the Emile Bouchard Trophy (QMJHL’s Top Defenseman) following the 2012-13 campaign.

The Mont-St-Hilaire, Quebec, native was originally signed as a free agent by Phoenix on March 6, 2013.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Mar. 8 vs. Milwaukee Admirals: Game time is at 7 p.m. for another Midwest Division tilt for the IceHogs and Admirals at the BMO Harris Bank Center. This will be the second of a home-and-home set for these two rivals. The game is Autism Awareness night at the BMO and Autism Awareness Ribbon Magnets will be handed out. Local singer/songwriter Anthony Billups will be performing live pre-game and during intermissions. Billups is from Rockton, Ill. and is featured on A&E's new reality tv series, Crazy Hearts: Nashville.