FRASER AMONG THREE THAT SIGN WITH CHICAGO

Hawks also add Aaron Johnson and Doug Janik

Rockford, Ill.- Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced on Tuesday that the National Hockey League club has re-signed center Colin Fraser and free agent defenseman Aaron Johnson and Doug Janik. All three were inked to one-year contracts.

Fraser returns to the Blackhawks organization for his fourth season. Last year, the Sicamous, British Columbia native skated in five games for the Blackhawks recording nine penalty minutes. Fraser also appeared in 75 games with the Rockford IceHogs matching or setting career highs in goals (17), assists (24) and points (41). The 6-1 center was also whistled for a career high 165 penalty minutes.

In his first three full seasons in the Blackhawks organizations, Fraser has played six overall games with Chicago. He has played a total of 220 American Hockey League games, notching 41 goals and 61 assists. Fraser served as the IceHogs alternate captain in 2007-08.

Fraser, 23, was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round (69th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Chicago acquired Fraser from the Flyers on Feb. 19, 2004 along with Jim Vandermeer and a second draft pick in the 2004 draft, for Alex Zhamnov.

Johnson, 25, spent the 2007-08 campaign with the New York Islanders were he saw ice time in 30 games and registered two assists along with 30 penalty minutes. Since his rookie season in 2003-04, he has appeared in 146 NHL contests and totaled seven goals and 21 assists for 28 points along with 123 penalty minutes.

Besides spending last season with the Islanders, Johnson was with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 2003-04, 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. Johnson was originally drafted by Columbus in the third round (85th overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. The Port Hawkensbury, Nova Scotia native has also played in 177 career AHL games with the Syracuse Crunch and Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Janik, 28, has appeared in 146 career NHL matchups during his seven-year professional career, accruing 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) and 119 penalty minutes, which includes four points (one goal, three assists) and 45 penalty minutes in 61 contests with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season. The Agawam, Massachusetts, native spent five years in the Buffalo Sabres organization (2001-06) before joining the Lightning for the past two seasons. Prior to turning pro, Janik skated three seasons at the University of Maine (1998-2001), which includes helping the Black Bears capture the 1999 Division I National Championship during his freshman campaign in 1998-99.

Season Tickets Now On Sale: The Rockford IceHogs have a variety of season ticket packages available for the 2008-09 season. To find a package that works for you, call (815) 986-6465 and speak with a season ticket sales executive.