First-Round Pick Boqvist, Calder Cup Champ Saarela Assigned to Rockford

ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday announced they have assigned defenseman Adam Boqvist (BOH-kwihst) and forward Aleksi Saarela (sah-REH-lah) to the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs.

Boqvist, 19, completed his first season in the OHL in 2018-19, leading all London blueliners and ranking third overall on the team in scoring with 60 points (20g, 40a) in 54 games during the regular season. He was named a Second-Team All-Star for his efforts before capping the campaign with 13 points and a team-high 10 goals in 11 playoff games for the Knights.

The Falun, Sweden native was originally selected eighth overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2018 NHL Draft.

Saarela, 22, won the 2019 Calder Cup with Charlotte, leading the team in goals and ranking second in total scoring with 54 points (30g, 24a) in 69 games during the regular season. He then continued his scoring pace during the playoffs to notch 15 points (7g, 8a) in 17 games during the Checkers run to the AHL title. Saarela also made his NHL debut during the 2018-19 campaign, skating with the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of their first-round series against the Washington Capitals on April 20.

The Helsinki, Finland native was originally selected by the New York Rangers in the third round (89th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft.

NEXT HOME GAME: Saturday, Oct. 12 vs. Grand Rapids Griffins | 6 p.m.
The Rockford IceHogs will host their home opener for the 2019-20 season on Saturday, Oct. 12 against the Grand Rapids Griffins at 6 p.m. at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The first 4,000 fans in attendance to Rockford’s first home game of the campaign will receive a free IceHogs calendar, courtesy of Impact Networking. Call the IceHogs front office at (815) 968-5222 or visit icehogs.com to purchase tickets.