HAYES AND OLSEN DEALT TO FLORIDA

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have acquired forward Kris Versteeg and forward Phillippe Lefebrve from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Jimmy Hayes and defenseman Dylan Olsen. Lefebrve will report directly to the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL.

“We are excited to bring Kris back to Chicago and are pleased to add a player with his experience and versatility to our lineup” said Vice President and General Manager Stan Bowman. “Kris is well respected within our organization and will be able to make a seamless transition to our team because of his familiarity with many of our players and with Coach Quenneville. This move strengthens our team depth and Kris’ skill is a great complement to our current roster.”

Versteeg, a member of the Blackhawks 2010 Stanley Cup championship team, has registered seven points (2g, 5a) in 18 games this season with the Panthers. The 27-year-old forward recorded a season-high two points on two occasions (Oct. 11 vs. PIT and Nov. 10 at NYR).

The Lethbridge, Alberta, native has tallied 212 points (92g, 120a) in 349 career National Hockey League games with Chicago (2007-10), Toronto (2010-11), Philadelphia (2011) and Florida (2011-13). Versteeg posted 101 points (44g, 57a) in 170 games with the Blackhawks from 2007 to 2010 and was a finalist for the 2009 Calder Trophy during his first full season. He earned 14 points (6g, 8a) in 22 games with Chicago during the team's run to the 2010 Stanley Cup title.

Prior to his professional career, Versteeg recorded 167 points (62g, 105a) in 264 games with Lethbridge, Kamloops and Red Deer over four Western Hockey League seasons from 2002 to 2006.

Versteeg was originally selected by the Boston Bruins in the fifth round, 134th overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft before being acquired in a trade by the Blackhawks on February 3, 2007.

Lefebrve, 22, has recorded six points (2g, 4a) in eight games this season with the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones. The Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, native has earned 18 points (9g, 9a) in 92 career American Hockey League games with Hamilton and 22 points (10g, 12a) in 36 career ECHL games with Wheeling and Cincinnati.

Prior to his professional career, Lefebrve appeared in 256 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League games with Drummondville and Montreal from 2007 to 2011, posting 174 points (76g, 98a) in those contests.

Hayes, 23, has recorded 13 points (6g, 7a) in 43 career NHL games with the Blackhawks, along with 76 points (35g, 41a) in 120 career American Hockey League games with the Rockford IceHogs. Olsen, 22, has appeared in 28 career games with the Blackhawks, earning one assist. He owns 30 points (6g, 24a) in 152 career AHL games with the IceHogs.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Nov. 16 vs. San Antonio Rampage. The puck drops at 7 p.m. and the first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a Dri-fit baseball hat courtesy of Pepsi. For tickets visit IceHogs.com.