The Blackhawks re-assigned rookie defenseman Henri Jokiharju to the AHL on Saturday morning after his one-game emergency call up.
Chicago brought up Jokiharju on an emergency basis as fellow defenseman Carl Dahlstrom was out with flu-like symptoms. Jokiharju — in his first NHL game in exactly a month — only skated 9:14 minutes of ice time Friday in the Blackhawks’ 5-3 loss to the Avalanche at the United Center.
Jokiharju has no goals and 12 assists in 38 NHL games this season. Prior to his call up, Jokiharju registered a goal and eight assists in nine AHL games with the Rockford IceHogs. The 19-year-old has logged top-line minutes for Rockford and is seeing playing time on the power play, which he wouldn’t see with the Blackhawks.
Jeremy Colliton on why Henri Jokiharju belongs in Rockford:
“We feel he’s where he should be, in Rockford. We’re happy with his progression and how he’s handling it. He’s playing 21, 22 minutes every night and we’re seeing a growth in his game, so that’s a positive on that.”— John Dietz (@johndietzdh) February 23, 2019
The IceHogs begin a two-game road trip out East on Saturday, when they visit the Hershey Bears (Capitals). Rockford is currently in a Calder Cup playoff spot in fourth place in the Central Division with 60 points, which is only five points clear of the last-place Manitoba Moose.