VETERAN WINGER CHRISTIAN SIGNS WITH ICEHOGS

Forward to join Rockford in Lake Erie

Cleveland, Ohio-Chicago Blackhawks General Manager of Minor League Affiliations Mark Bernard announced on Wednesday that the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League have signed veteran winger Jeff Christian to a PTO.

Christian will join the IceHogs on Wednesday in time for the team’s game against the Lake Erie Monsters at 6 p.m. at the Quicken Loans Arena.

The Burlington, Ontario native is skating in his 19th season at the professional level. Christian spent the entire 2008-09 campaign with the Tulsa Oilers (CHL), leading them in scoring with 76 points in 56 games including a team-high 49 assists.

The winger has spent each of the past four seasons in the Central Hockey League, winning the league’s Most Valuable Player following in 2006-07 with the Youngstown Steelhounds, accumulating 38g-78a-116pts. Christian last played in the AHL during the 2005-06 season, skating in three games with the Cleveland Barons.

Overall, Christian has played in 268 games in the AHL scoring 91g-121a-212pts. Christian also appeared in 17 NHL contests with the New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins and Phoenix Coyotes notching two goals and two assists.

Christian will help fill the void left by winger Jack Skille who is expected to miss the rest of the regular season with an upper body injury. Skille was injured in the first period on Sunday in Rockford’s 2-1 win over the Houston Aeros.

Next Home Game: Saturday, April 4 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Annual Jersey Auction game is finally here as the IceHogs jump into “The Dark Hammy” jerseys to benefit the IceHogs Charitable Foundation. The first 2,000 fans will pick up a commemorative t-shirt courtesy of Saturn, Pepsi, Lincoln Rent-All, Guerilla Graffix, 13 WREX and MedicineMan. Also, don’t miss the Stanley Cup as hockey’s most coveted trophy makes its first visit to the Rockford MetroCentre.

Stanley Cup Fact: In it’s lifetime, the Stanley Cup has visited numerous countries including Czech Republic, Sweden, Russia, Finland, Japan, Switzerland, and the Bahamas, as well as making a 14,433 foot climb of Colorado’s Mt. Elbert. See the Stanley Cup at the Rockford MetroCentre on April 4. For tickets call 815-968-5222 or visit metrocentre.com.