NEWSLETTER
On Sunday evening, the Chicago Blackhawks made a handful of roster moves. First, the team recalled forwards MacKenzie Entwistle and Brett Connolly from the Rockford IceHogs. Chicago also assigned forward Mike Hardman to the IceHogs, while placing forward Reese Johnson on Injured Reserve.
Additionally, forward Reese Johnson has been placed on injured reserve.
Team physician Dr. Michael Terry:
“Last night, Reese Johnson suffered a fractured right clavicle. He will undergo further evaluation tomorrow when a timeline for his return will be determined.” pic.twitter.com/rbxx2AJM9s— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 12, 2021
The team announced that Johnson suffered a broken clavicle in Saturday night’s 5-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs and would need to undergo further evaluation. Johnson has skated in 18 games with the Blackhawks this season, with one goal and three assists on the year. He recorded his first-ever NHL assist and first NHL goal this season, both on November 23 against the Calgary Flames.
Of the trio of forwards moving between the NHL and AHL, this will be Brett Connolly’s first opportunity with the Blackhawks this season after starting the year with the Rockford IceHogs. Connolly has been one of the top forwards for the IceHogs this season, recording 11 points in 16 games this season, ranking second on the team. He has 527 NHL games under his belt in his career and skated in ten gams with Chicago last season.
Entwistle makes his return to the Blackhawks after being activated from Injured Reserve earlier this month. The third-year forward started the season with Chicago, skating in 12 games and recording three points in the process. After being activated, Entwistle skated in two games for the IceHogs, recording one assist.
Mike Hardman heads back to the IceHogs with Connolly and Entwistle coming up from the AHL. Hardman has skated in 19 NHL games for the Blackhawks this season, recording two assists in his first full professional season. He scored a goal and two assists in eight games last season after signing with Chicago from Boston College. With Rockford this season, Hardman has two assists in two games played.
The Blackhawks are back in action on Monday night as they host the Calgary Flames. The team will be honoring Marc-André Fleury’s 500th career win prior to the game. Rockford is back on the ice on Friday, December 17 when the team heads to Texas to take on the Stars in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday night.
