GILBERT AND SIMPSON REASSIGNED TO ROCKFORD

Pair to be in Rockford for Monday’s matinee

Rockford, Ill.-The National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks have reassigned forward David Gilbert from the Central Hockey League’s Bloomington Blaze to the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs and goalie Kent Simpson from the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye to Rockford.

Gilbert, 21, has skated in one game with Rockford this season. Chicago’s seventh round selection (#209 overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Gilbert has appeared in 31 games with the Blaze this season and has 13g-12a-25pts.

The Chateauguay, Quebec native is in his second professional campaign. Last season, Gilbert split time between Rockford and Toledo and accumulated 1g-4a-5pts in 28 games with the IceHogs while compiling 6g-12a-18pts in 29 tilts with the Walleye.

Simpson, 20, is in his first season and has spent the entire campaign with the Walleye. In 20 appearances, the Edmonton, Alberta native is 8-8-3 with an .885 save percentage and a 2.85 goals against average.

The backstop made his pro debut with Rockford in the IceHogs season finale a season ago, picking up a shootout loss despite making 38 saves against the Charlotte Checkers. Prior to turning pro, Simpson spent four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Everett Silvertips and was Chicago’s second round draft pick (#58 overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Next Home Game: Monday, Jan. 21 vs. Texas Stars. Game time is 1:05 p.m. It’s Kids Day at the BMO Harris Bank Center as the first 1,000 kids ages 14-and-under will receive a drawstring bag courtesy of Hog Wash. Kids 18-and-under can pick up $5 tickets at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.