MCNEILL AND MASHINTER ASSIGNED TO ROCKFORD

Rockford, Ill. - The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have assigned forwards Mark McNeill and Brandon Mashinter to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.

McNeill, 23, has led the IceHogs the past two seasons in goals. The Edmonton, Alberta native posted 25 goals in 64 games last season and netted 23 goals in 63 games during the 2014-15 season. In Rockford, McNeill has played 215 career games and has accumulated 129 points (66G-63A). He made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks on Jan. 26 at Carolina. McNeill is tied for second in the IceHogs record book with 13 game-winning goals and stands at sixth all-time with 492 shots on goal.

Mashinter, 28, was named the IceHogs captain last year on Oct. 16, 2015 before earning a recall to Chicago. He appeared in 12 games with Rockford totaling seven points (4G-3A) and played in 41 games notching four goals and an assist for the Blackhawks. The Bradford, Ontario scored his first career NHL goal against the Canucks on Dec. 13, 2015. In three seasons with the IceHogs, Mashinter has played 128 games with 67 points (35G-32A).

Home Opener: Saturday, Oct. 22 vs. Milwaukee at 7 p.m. The IceHogs open their 18th season of professional hockey at the BMO Harris Bank Center with the first home game of the 2016-17 season. The first 5,000 fans to enter the arena will receive an IceHogs calendar compliments of BMO Harris Bank. For tickets visit IceHogs.com or call (815) 968-5222.