Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs have announced that they have signed defenseman Blake Kessel to a PTO.

Kessel has played six games so far this season for the ECHL’s Bakersfield Condors and Orlando Solar Bears. The Verona, Wisconsin native has seven points (2g-5a) on the season. Kessel was loaned to Rockford from Orlando.

The defenseman was drafted in the sixth round (#166 overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft before spending three years playing for the University of New Hampshire. Kessel was second in the nation in points (38) by a defenseman as a sophomore in 2009-10 for New Hampshire. He finished his collegiate career with 114 games played and 78 points (21g-57a).

Blake is also the younger brother of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Phil Kessel.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Nov. 16 against the San Antonio Rampage, puck drops at 7 p.m. The first 2,500 fans to the BMO will receive a baseball hat courtesy of Pepsi. For tickets,