Rockford, Ill.- Chicago Blackhawks General Manager of Minor League Affiliations Mark Bernard announced on Saturday that the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs have signed goaltender Kent Simpson to an amateur try-out agreement.
Simpson, 20, was drafted by the Blackhawks in the second round (58th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He has spent the past four seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Everett Silvertips. In 60 games this year, Simpson posted a record of 20-31-5-7 with two shutouts to go along with a 3.33 goals against average and .909 save percentage.
The Edmonton, Alberta native ranked seventh among all WHL goaltenders in minutes played during the 2011-12 season, totaling 3,481. In 175 career WHL contests, Simpson has compiled a 71-71-10-21 record with six shutouts and a .909 save percentage.
In 2009-2010, the backstop was named the Everett Silvertips Scholastic Player of the Year. He also represented Team Canada at the 2010 Under-18 World Championship and won a Silver Medal with Team Pacific at the 2009 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.
Next Home Game: Tuesday, April 10 vs. Charlotte Checkers. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. The final week of the 2011-12 regular season begins as the IceHogs host the Checkers for the first of two meetings in Week 28. Tuesday’s game is this season’s final Taco Bell Dollar Days presented by WXRX which includes $1 beers, hot dogs, soft drinks and companion tickets.