ROCKFORD, Ill. – The American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs today announced they have signed defenseman Ben Youds to a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO).

Youds, 31, has skated in 13 ECHL games with the Indy Fuel this season, logging one goal, five assists and a +6 rating. The blueliner opened the campaign with a three-game point streak over which he posted one goal and three assists from Oct. 19-25 and later registered a season-high seven shots on goal on Nov. 17 at Atlanta. He joins Rockford with two or more shots in seven of his last eight ECHL games.

The Brooklyn Park, Minnesota native originally made his professional debut with Rockford during the 2011-12 campaign. He skated with the Hogs for parts of two seasons from 2011-13, compiling five goals and 21 assists over 80 contests. Overall, Youds has combined for 100 points (20g, 80a) in 252 career AHL games between the IceHogs (2011-13), Providence (2013-16) and Lake Erie (2014-15).

In addition, the defenseman has skated in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) during each of the last three seasons. He totaled 36 points (4g, 32a) in 96 SHL games with Leksands IF (2016-17), Vaxjo Lakers HC (2017-18) and Rogle BK (2017-19).