The Blackhawks reassigned defenseman Dennis Gilbert to the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL on Thursday morning one day after he made his NHL debut.
Gilbert recorded a game-high six hits in 12:46 of ice time in his NHL debut in the Blackhawks’ 4-3 shootout win over the Blues on Wednesday at the United Center. Gilbert’s debut didn’t start off too well as he committed a holding penalty just 3:37 into the first period in only his second shift.
Gilbert — a 2015 third-round draft pick — rejoins the IceHogs, who are in the midst of a tight Calder Cup playoff race. Rockford has 76 points and is three points back of Manitoba for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division. Milwaukee (79) and Texas (77) are also above the IceHogs in the standings. All four teams vying for the final playoff spot have played 71 games.
Rockford begins a back-to-back Friday against Texas in Cedar Park, Texas.