IceHogs and Blackhawks Make Roster Moves Ahead of Home-and-Home Weekend vs. Chicago

ROCKFORD, IL – The Rockford IceHogs, proud American Hockey League affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League, announced today that defensemen Ian Mitchell, Wyatt Kalynuk, Lucas Carlsson and forwards Reese Johnson and MacKenzie Entwistle have been re-assigned to the IceHogs from the Blackhawks. Forwards Brandon Pirri, Mikael Hakkarainen and defenseman Alec Regula have been re-assigned to the Blackhawks’ taxi squad. The IceHogs also announced that defenseman Dmitry Osipov has been loaned to the Indy Fuel of the ECHL.

Mitchell, 22, looks to make his IceHogs debut after appearing in 32 games with the Blackhawks this season, scoring two goals and two assists for four points. The St. Albert, Alberta, native made his NHL debut on Jan. 13 at Tampa Bay and scored his first NHL goal on Feb. 11 vs. Columbus. A rookie this season, Mitchell spent the past three seasons at the University of Denver, totaling 89 points (18 goals, 71 assists) in 116 games and served as team captain during the 2019-20 season. He was selected by the Blackhawks in the second round (57th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Kalynuk, 23, returns to the IceHogs with six assists and seven points in six games this season. The Brandon, Manitoba, skated in one game with the Blackhawks this season, his NHL debut on Mar. 7 against Tampa Bay

Carlsson, 23, returns to the IceHogs with a goal over three appearances this season. The Gavle, Sweden, native played in 12 games with the Blackhawks (one assist) this year. Last season, Carlsson earned the IceHogs’ Defenseman of the Year Award for the second straight campaign after leading all team blueliners with 26 points (five goals, 21 assists) through 48 games.

Johnson, 22, returns to the IceHogs on a three-game point streak (two goals, three assists) and recorded two goals and an assist last Monday vs. Iowa. Overall, the Regina, Saskatchewan, native has five points (two goals, three assists) in six games with the IceHogs this year. He suited up in five games with the Blackhawks this season and made his NHL debut on Feb. 15 vs. Detroit.

Entwistle, 21, made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks on Tuesday (Mar. 23) vs. Florida after recording five points (two goals, three assists) in 12 games with the IceHogs this season. In his last two games with the IceHogs last Sunday and Monday vs. Iowa, the Georgetown, Ontario, native registered a goal and an assist.

Osipov, 24, recorded one assist in 11 games with the IceHogs this season. Last season, the Moskova, Russia, native added one goal in 28 games with the IceHogs and four points (one goal, three assists) in eight games with Indy.

The IceHogs open a home-and-home weekend series against the Chicago Wolves on Saturday, Mar. 27 at 7:00 p.m. in Hoffman Estates, IL and return to BMO Harris Bank Center on Sunday, Mar. 28 at 4:00 p.m. Fans can watch all of this season’s action LIVE on AHLTV and 23.2 Antenna TV WIFR (home games)! Tune in to every broadcast for free on SportsFanRadio 1330 AM, Sportsfanradio1330.com, IceHogs.com, and the IceHogs app!

Every active full IceHogs Season Ticket Holder and 20-Game holder who have paid for their tickets in full or who have a deposit down on their tickets for 2020-21 will receive FREE access to every IceHogs game through AHLTV on the IceHogs Broadcast Network presented by BMO Harris Bank! Want to upgrade to a Full Season or 20-Game plan? Contact us at (815) 968-5222 or email us at ticketservices@icehogs.com!