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DANIS-PEPIN, NESBITT RETURN TO ROCKFORD, GILBERT RELEASED

Danis Pepin Simon4
Rockford, Ill.- Chicago Blackhawks General Manager of Minor League Affiliations Mark Bernard announced on Tuesday that defenseman Simon Danis-Pepin was reassigned from the Toledo Walleye (ECHL) to the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) and winger Derek Nesbitt was recalled by the IceHogs from loan from Toledo.

In addition, Bernard announced that center David Gilbert was released from his ATO.

Danis-Pepin, 22, has appeared in 38 games with the IceHogs in 2009-10, notching a goal and seven assists during his first stint in the AHL. With Toledo, the Montreal, Quebec native skated in 13 contests contributing a goal and nine assists. The defenseman also played in all four of Toledo’s Kelly Cup Playoff games and scored a goal while adding three assists.

Nesbitt returns to Rockford after playing in 23 games with the IceHogs in the regular season. The 28-year-old winger recorded four goals with Rockford while chipping in an assist. In 37 games with the Walleye, the Egmondville, Ontario native had 11 goals and assisted on 22 others. Nesbitt also had four points in the playoffs with Toledo, including three goals.

Gilbert made his professional debut on Saturday with the IceHogs in San Antonio. The 18-year-old was Chicago’s seventh round draft pick (#209 overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Gilbert recorded an assist in his first pro game and finished his third season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 62 games and a career-best 48 points between the Quebec Ramperts and Acadie-Bathurst Titan.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, April 21 vs. Texas Stars. Game Three of the West Division Semifinals. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. The West Division Semi’s shifts north as the IceHogs and Stars return to Rockford for Game Three of the Calder Cup Playoff’s opening round at the MetroCentre.