ICEHOGS ROSTER TAKING SHAPE

Hogs add two and cut seven from camp

Rockford, Ill.- Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced on Monday that the National Hockey League club has assigned forward Troy Brouwer and goaltender Corey Crawford to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.

The IceHogs also announced that forwards Judd Blackwater, Mike Radja, Pete MacArthur, defenseman Kenny MacAulay and goaltender Ryan Nie were reassigned to the Fresno Falcons (ECHL). Also released from Rockford camp were Erick Lizon and Ryan Murphy.

Brouwer paced all IceHogs skaters in 2007-08 with 35 goals during his second professional season. The Vancouver native led the AHL with 25 power-play goals, two shy of the league record. Overall, Brouwer had 54 points in 75 games and has 76 goals during his first two campaigns in the AHL. Brouwer has appeared in 12 career games with the Blackhawks.

Crawford returns to Rockford after leading the IceHogs to the West Division Finals during last spring’s Calder Cup Playoffs. The fourth-year pro compiled a record of 29-19-5 last season with three shutouts. Crawford played in five games with Chicago in ’07-08 and picked up his first career NHL win, shutting out the defending Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks on March 5.

The IceHogs also signed forward Rob Klinkhammer to a two-way AHL contract. Klinkhammer, who was in Rockford’s training camp on a try out, played the entire 2007-08 season with the Norfolk Admirals.

Rockford’s training camp roster now stands at 22 leading up to the 2008-09 opener on Friday against the Quad City Flames at the MetroCentre.

Next Home Game: Friday, Oct. 10 vs. Quad City Flames. Game time is 7:30 p.m. The IceHogs begin its tenth season of professional hockey as the 2008-09 season gets underway. The first 5,000 fans to the game will receive an IceHogs Magnet Schedule from Dental Dimensions, Speedway Auto Mall, Guerilla Graffix and WTVO.