CHARLEBOIS SIGNS ON WITH ROCKFORD

D-man comes to Rockford from New Hampshire

Rockford, Ill.- Chicago Blackhawks General Manager of Minor League Affiliations Mark Bernard announced Wednesday that the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League signed defenseman Joe Charlebois (SHAHR-luh-boy) to an AHL contract.

Charlebois was the Blackhawks sixth-round pick (#188 overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. The defenseman skated with the University of New Hampshire (NCAA) for the past four seasons. Charlebois appeared in 18 games with the Wildcats in 2008-09 and notched a career-high nine assists while serving as one of the team’s captains.

The Potsdam, New York native played in 127 career games at UNH and tallied three goals and 24 assists. Following his junior campaign in 2007-08, Charlebois was named Hockey East’s “Best Defensive Defenseman” after completing the season with a team best plus/minus rating of +26 in 38 games with the Wildcats.

Charlebois, 23, will be with the IceHogs on Thursday when the team travels to the Bradley Center to take on the first place Milwaukee Admirals.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Feb. 20 vs. Lake Erie Monsters: The Rockford IceHogs welcome the Lake Erie Monsters into the Rockford MetroCentre for their only visit to the Forest City in 2008-09 at 7:30 p.m. The first 2,000 fans will get an IceHogs jersey bag courtesy of Rockford Orthopedic and 97 ZOK.