Former Blackhawks AHL defenseman Philip Holm signed with Lausanne Hockey Club in Switzerland’s National League on Tuesday after his contract with Chicago was officially terminated once he cleared waivers.
The 28-year-old signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Blackhawks on Aug. 13, 2019, in hopes he’d be able to prove himself enough to earn a spot in the NHL but it never came with the Blackhawks. He played well in NHL preseason games, but when injuries started to pile up among Chicago defensemen, the Blackhawks passed on calling him up and instead went with rookie Adam Boqvist and second-year pro Dennis Gilbert.
“He was fine in camp and showed he had the potential to play,” Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said of Holm on Monday. “There were other guys we liked better and they got the opportunity, and I think they’ve been good.”
🔴 Philip Holm rejoint le Lausanne Hockey Club ⚪️
Infos 👉 https://t.co/awvSZW77Vv#lhc #hockey #lausanne pic.twitter.com/Q9zLkohjTm
— Lausanne Hockey Club (@lausannehc) January 7, 2020
Holm had 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) for the Rockford IceHogs in 30 games this season. His point total was tied with second-year pro Lucas Carlsson for the most among IceHogs defensemen.
With Holm’s departure, the IceHogs have seven defensemen: Carlsson, Nicolas Beaudin, Chad Krys, Ian McCoshen, Dmitri Osipov, Joni Tuulola and Ben Youds. Osipov and Youds, both of whom are on AHL contracts, are the only right handers among the group.
Watson signs PTO
The IceHogs signed right wing Spencer Watson to a professional tryout contract Sunday. He has 39 points (20 goals, 19 assists) in 33 games this season with the Indy Fuel in the ECHL. His 20 goals rank second among all ECHL players. The Blackhawks acquired Watson from the Kings in exchange for Matt Iacopelli on Feb. 24.
Watson figures to jump into the lineup with forwards Alexandre Fortin, Philipp Kurashev and Anton Wedin out with undisclosed injuries.