The Chicago Blackhawks recalled forward Vinnie Hinostroza from the Rockford IceHogs, the team announced Friday. Tanner Kero was also reassigned to the Hawks’ AHL affiliate after clearing waivers to make room on the active roster.
Hinostroza is the first player this season to be called up from the AHL by Chicago. He will make his season debut Friday against Buffalo.
The 23-year-old leads Rockford in points and assists with 22 and 13, respectively. The 2012 sixth-rounder’s nine goals rank second on the team to Matthew Highmore’s 10. Hinostroza, a right-handed shot, has NHL experience with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 56 career games.
Kero, 25, played in only eight games for Chicago before being a healthy scratch for the past 10 games. He recorded one goal and two assists this season before losing his spot on the fourth line to veteran addition Tommy Wingels. The forward has recorded eight goals and 14 assists in 72 career NHL games for the Hawks. He signed a two-year contract extension worth $750,000 annually in March.