ICEHOGS SIGN KENNDAL MCARDLE TO PTO

Former first round pick to join Rockford

Rockford, Ill.- Chicago Blackhawks General Manager of Minor League Affiliations Mark Bernard announced on Wednesday that the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs have signed forward Kenndal McArdle to a PTO.

McArdle, 26, joins Rockford after spending the first half of the 2012-13 season with the ECHL’s Greenville Road Warriors. With Greenville, McArdle notched 7g-15a-22pts in 31 games.

The Florida Panthers first round draft pick (#20 overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, McArdle has skated in 42 NHL games with Florida and the Winnipeg Jets. The Toronto, Ont. native appeared in nine games with the Jets last season while also splitting time in the AHL between the St. John’s IceCaps and Portland Pirates. In 54 combined AHL games in 2011-12, McArdle totaled 10g-8a-18pts with 98 PIMs.

The 5-11, 190-pound forward has played in 166 career AHL games, mostly with the Rochester Americans, and has accumulated 30g-30a-60pts to go along with 271 PIMs. McArdle played the majority of his junior career with the Western Hockey League’s Moose Jaw Warriors, but won a Memorial Cup Championship with the Vancouver Giants in 2007 before turning pro.

Next Home Game: Friday, Jan. 18 vs. Peoria Rivermen. Beginning at 7:05 p.m. the IceHogs and Rivermen meet in an Illinois Lottery Cup Matchup and for the first time since Nov. 21 at the BMO Harris Bank Center. It marks the fourth of twelve meetings between the two foes on the campaign.