CHICAGO ACQUIRES FORWARD WATSON IN EXCHANGE FOR IACOPELLI

ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Chicago Blackhawks today announced they have acquired forward Spencer Watson from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for forward Matheson Iacopelli. Watson will report to the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs.

Watson, 22, has spent the majority of the 2018-19 season with the Manchester Monarchs of the ECHL, posting a point-per-game average with 47 points (22g, 25a) in 47 contests. He paces the team in total scoring, is tied for first on the team in goals and ranks second in assists. The forward has also fired a team-high 145 shots on goal, which is good for fifth-most among all ECHL skaters this season.

The London, Ontario native was recalled by Ontario during the first month of the season and skated in two AHL games with the Reign on Oct. 19-20.

Watson was originally selected by the Kings in the seventh round (209th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft. He made his professional debut with Manchester during the 2017-18 campaign, logging 45 points (25g, 20a) in 48 games during the regular season, and helped the Monarchs to the postseason while notching three assists in seven Kelly Cup playoff games. The forward also made his AHL debut with Ontario on Oct. 7 that season and netted his first AHL goal on Feb. 2 vs. San Diego.

Overall, Watson has combined for 92 points (47g, 45a) in 95 career ECHL games with Manchester, and one goal in 11 career AHL games with Ontario over the last two seasons.

Iacopelli, 24, joined Rockford near the conclusion of the 2016-17 season and has since logged a total of 27 points (14g, 13a) in 85 career AHL games with the IceHogs. In addition, the Woodhaven, Michigan native made his ECHL debut with Indy last year and has picked up 13 goals and one assist in 19 career ECHL contests.

Next Home Game: March 1 vs. Grand Rapids | 7 p.m.
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