A reminder, you don’t have to go to the United Center to watch the Blackhawks tonight, they’re game will be televised on Comcast SportsNet.

Radim Vrbata will make his return to Chicago.  The Ex-Hawk has nine goals and 15 points in 22 games with Phoenix this season.  He’s a plus-3 in those contests.  Five more goals and he’ll match his total from last season.  18 in 2001-02 (52gp) is Vrbata’s career high.  ‘Jovo Cop’ Ed Jovanovski will be out, serving a one-game suspension for his hit on Marian Gaborik Wednesday night.

Tonight’s lines:

1-       Tuomo Ruutu * Bobby Lang * Martin Havlat

2-       Patrick Sharp * Jonathan Toews * Patrick Kane

3-       Sergei Samsonov * Yanic Perreault * Adam Burish

4-       David Koci * Colin Fraser * Martin Lapointe

D1- Duncan Keith * Brent Seabrook

D2- Andrei Zyuzin * Brent Sopel

D3- Jim Vandermeer * Dustin Byfuglien

Nikolai Khabibulin starts in net.  Patrick Lalime gets the call tomorrow night in St. Louis.

Magnus Johansson, Jason Williams (groin) and James Wisniewski (Matt Cooke) are the scratches.

Tonight’s officials:

Referees: Dan Marouelli #6, Mike Leggo #3  (Where’s Mick?)

Linesman: David Brisebois #96, Lyle Seitz #61

Jim Cornelison sings the anthem

Board of Governors rule in favor of scheduling change effective immediately NHL.com

-          Changes are effective beginning with 2008-09 season

-          Hawks play Central Division opponents six times, a reduction from eight

-          Number of games vs. each of Pacific and Northwest teams remains at four

-          82 game schedule

-          24 vs. Central, 20 vs. Pacific, 20 vs. Northwest; a total of 64

-          15 games vs. Eastern Conference (likely 7 home/8 away or vise versa)

-          3 remaining game slots to be inter-conference “At large games” Whoo!

Changes scheduled Ross McKeon, Yahoo sports

New NHLPA head Paul Kelly informed the NHL on Thursday that the players would support the addition of two games, upping the regular season schedule to 84.  That isn’t likely to be implemented until it can officially collectively bargained.

Board also approved the sale of the Predators Nhl.com

*More national publicity for Patrick Kane, this time in USA Today, today

Rookie scoring leader Kane seems up to the task of helping revive Blackhawks 

Injury bug strikes again Daily Herald

Tuomo Ruutu’s teammates have hung a ‘Wanted’ poster above Ruutu’s locker at the United Center.  Ruutu is getting razzed after being stopped and questioned by Bensenville police Tuesday while jogging.  There had recently been an a robbery in the area and Ruutu, in his hooded sweat suit, fit the description given to police.  (He wasn’t the guy).

Phoenix Coyotes d-man Ed Jovanovski suspended for tonight's game Arizona Republic

Gretzky happy to see Hawks' resurgence Tim Sassone, Daily Herald

-‘The Great One’ on Hawks’ rookies Toews and Kane

"They're both similar in they see the ice very well, but I've said this many times this year: It doesn't matter how talented you are, if you don't work hard it doesn't go a long way," Gretzky said. "I think the good players sometimes don't get enough credit for their work ethic.

"If you watch (Henrik) Zetterberg every night, (Joe) Thornton every night, (Vinny) Lecavalier every night, (Sidney) Crosby every game -- they're skill level is really special, but they work hard every game. They're always on the puck; they're always contributing to their team.

"So when you get an 18-year-old like Kane and a 19-year-old like Toews doing that, it goes a long way for an organization and a franchise. When your best players and most talented players are the most hard-working, it makes it really special."

 Young stars pass 'Great One's' test Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune

-To commemorate his 1^st NHL goal, Patrick Kane will get teammates drunk.  

Kane gave his teammates bottles of wine to commemorate his first NHL goal. The bottles of cabernet sauvignon had labels that read: "Patrick Kane, 1st NHL goal vs. Colorado Avalanche, Oct. 19, 2007. Won 5-3."

The 19-year-old rookie isn't old enough to buy or drink alcoholic beverages, so he enlisted his father's help. Kane made the gesture at the suggestion of defenseman Brent Sopel, who said it was an NHL tradition—although several Hawks said they'd never heard of any such tradition.

"Sopel told me to do it," Kane said. "Somebody told me it was a joke. I don't even know anymore. It was just a nice thing to do for the boys."

Sopel said he bought cigars as a rookie with the Vancouver Canucks in 1999 when then-teammate Mark Messier told him to after his first goal.

"It's a little bit of a tradition when you score your first goal — a cigar or bottle of wine," Sopel said. "I didn't expect the length he went to with his name on it. I'm very impressed. He definitely gets an 'A' for effort. I know his dad helped him out."

Tampa/Phoenix; Just like old times for Khabby Len Ziehm, Sun-Times

Two minutes in the box with Martin Havlat Lacy J. Banks, Sun-Times

Gov mocked for putting Hawks over CTA Sun-Times

  Blagojevich defends his departure from Springfield for Hawks outing CBS2

Can’t anyone go to a Blackhawks game without being criticized by someone anymore?

More on Magnuson wrongful death suit filed against Rob Ramage Canadian Press

 Wrongful death suit begins in Missouri CBC

Tribune’s Steve Rosenbloom compares Martin Havlat to Mark Prior

Briefly….

Canucks’ netminder Roberto Luongo recorded his third-consecutive shut out Thursday, blanking the Blue Jackets 2-0.  The streak began on Sunday, also a 2-0 victory over the Hawks…..  Wild third period in Ottawa last night saw the Senators drop their fifth straight to Nashville 6-5.  Daniel Alfredsson tied the game with 46 seconds left, but Martin Erat regained the lead for his predators with 23 seconds left on the clock.  Former Hawk J.P. Dumont was named the game’s first star, compiling a goal and three assists for the Preds.  Blackhawks host Nashville on the 19^th of this month.  Chicago visits Ottawa three nights later, Saturday December 22…. Colorado’s T.J. Hensick plays his first NHL game for Colorado as the Avs visit San Jose tonight at 9:30 Chicago time….

** I’d like to thank the folks over at The NHL Arena blog for promoting our site on theirs.

They also have a huge message board available at http://thenhlarena.com/.  You can chat specifically about the Blackhawks here.

ChrisBlock@TheThirdManIn.com

Martin Havlat, Andrei Zyuzin, Brent Sopel, Jason Williams celebrate Havlat's 1st on the season

Photo credit: Charles Rex Arbogast, AP/Yahoo Sports

* You know the times are a-changing when Bobby Hull is spotted signing autographs and taking pictures with fans in the Kettle One Club during Wednesday night’s game at the United Center.  Hull was an invited guest of the Blackhawks.

It should be noted that on Wednesday, Bob Pulford was in route to Pebble Beach, California for the NHL Board of Governor’s meetings.  Pulford and Hull do not like each other.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich was also in attendance, seated next to new Hawks president John McDonough.  CBS-2 Chicago News has been trailing the governor and was also at the United Center documenting what Blagojevich is, or isn’t doing, in his time serving the state of Illinois.  Blagojevich flew to Chicago for the game and then back to Springfield afterwards.  The CTA vote took place Wednesday after his flight departure.

Blagojevich backs Blackhawks over mass transit Tribune (readers aren’t happy)

 Gov put Hawks over CTA? Sun-Times

- Trial of wrongful death-suit filed on behalf of Keith Magnuson’s family is now underway in St. Louis.  Cliff Koroll testified on behalf of the Magnuson family Wednesday.  The below St. Louis Post-Dispatch article indicates former Blackhawks play-by-play announcer Pat Foley, a long-time friend of Keith Magnuson is expected to take the stand as well.  Magnuson’s family is seeking a seven-figure settlement or verdict.  Koroll testifies in death case

** Blackhawks 5, Lighting 1

Official scoresheet / Super Stats / Game highlights  

Tampa failed to get to their seats earlier in the 1^st and 2^nd periods and the returning Martin Havlat made them regret it.  Returning from a 22-game stint on IR, Havlat scored at 43 seconds in the first and again at the 12 second mark of the middle session.

Hawks goals: Havlat (1,2), Dustin Byfuglien (3), Patrick Sharp (12), Jonathan Toews (9)

Patrick Kane posted 3 assists; Robert Lang added 2, Nikolai Khabibulin was also credited with two helpers while Patrick Sharp and Jason Williams could only offer an assist a piece.

Khabibulin stopped 21 shots, surrendering the shut-out on a Nick Tarnasky power-play goal at 9:52 of the third.  Yanic Perreault was in the box for slashing.  A fourth line forward, the goal was Tarnasky’s first point in 24 games this season.  Blackhawks were out shot again, 22-17.  Johan Holmqvist stopped 12 for Tampa in the loss.

* Out 2-4 weeks; Jacob Dowell breaks foot Sun-Times

Colin Fraser gets the call-up from Rockford Blackhawks press release

* Jason Williams is also back on the shelf.  He re-aggravated his sore groin in the victory.  Williams left the game with a nasty cut above his left eye.  Williams did return to the game sporting many stitches, but refused to wear a visor.

* James Wisniewski did not play.  Coach Denis Savard will sit him out of this weekend’s games as well.  Aside from the nasty cut, Wisniewski has a slight concussion as well.

* Dustin Byfuglien moved back to defense in place of Wisniewski.  Byfuglien carried the puck on the rush perhaps the most aggressively he’s ever had to this point with Chicago, creating numerous chances…. Magnus Johansson was a scratch….. Sergei Samsonov skated the warm-up, but also viewed the game from the press box…. David Koci instead moved into the lineup and was an intimidating force, finishing his checks with authority anytime he stepped onto the ice.

* Fight~!  David Koci vs. Andre Roy.  Two NHL big-boys each got some punches off, but it wasn’t the greatest of battles.  Koci got in a left, Roy a right and the red team scored the takedown.  Draw.

Havlat's return a welcome sight Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune

Hawks' Havlat wastes no time Tim Sassone, Daily Herald

  Canucks' hit that injured Wisniewski still angers Hawks

Wisniewski being unable to play only angered the Hawks more that Cooke didn't draw a penalty or receive a suspension from the NHL for the hit that drove Wisniewski's head into the glass.

"We've asked, but they said it was a clean hit," said Hawks general manager Dale Tallon. "I asked, 'Did (Cooke) leave his feet? Did he charge him?' They said no."

Game recap & video goodies blackhawks.nhl.com

Havlat returns in style Len Ziehm, Sun-Times

Tim Sassone: What an amazing turnaround for Hawks Daily Herald

More on Tuomo Ruutu's case of mistaken identity  Canadian Press

 It made the quirky news bits United Press International

  Meanwhile Bensenville still looking for suspect Catherine Edman, Daily Herald

Cops stop Hawks' Ruutu, by mistake Sun-Times

Ruutu:  “It wasn’t the first time I’ve been in the wrong place at the wrong time.  It happens to me all the time.”

ChrisBlock@TheThirdManIn.com

Bad day to go jogging: Tuomo Ruutu's profile matches Bensenville suspected robbery assailant.  I cannot confirm this quote but its been said after being released by Bensenville police, Ruutu told Dan Kelly and Eddie No-czyk he’d been surrounded and pinned down by “a lot of fucking cops.”

Chris Kuc reports this morning that Tuomo Ruutu has been taken off the “2^nd line” with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane and dropped to what’s being referred to as the third trio; Ruutu, Jacob Dowell and Dustin Byfuglien.

More from Tim Sassone Daily Herald

I don’t understand this move at all.  If Savard must move him, I’d prefer to see Ruutu moved to the right wing to open up some ice for him, offensively.  Ruutu has struggled to score for the past four months of NHL hockey and a move to the right side would enable Ruutu more space to get his shots off approaching on the forehand.

Ruutu hasn’t lost his shot; he just can’t get it off in high-percentage areas, thus the lack of goal scoring.  The career of Blackhawks’ 2001 1^st round draft pick will die on the left wing.  In international competition, Ruutu usually plays the center position and has a much easier time using deception and releasing shots from tight positions.

The transition for Sharp should be easy.  He already skates with Toews and Kane on the power play despite the fact that every time Kane and Robert Lang are on the ice together, the Blackhawks score.

• Martin Havlat will return after missing every game since suffering another right shoulder injury on opening night in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Havlat opted not to have season-ending surgery in hopes his shoulder would heal enough to make a return to the Hawks’ lineup within six weeks of the October 4 injury.  The wait lasted approximately eight weeks and 55 days.

Tonight’s unofficial lines vs. Tampa Bay Lecavaliers, St. Louies and Richards

At forward, for better or for worse

1-       Jason Williams * Robert Lang * Martin Havlat

2-       Patrick Sharp * Jonathan Toews * Patrick Kane

3-       Tuomo Ruutu * Jacob Dowell * Dustin Byfuglien

4-       Yanic Perreault * Adam Burish * Martin Lapointe

D1- Duncan Keith * Brent Seabrook

D2- Andrei Zyuzin * Brent Sopel

D3- Jim Vandermeer * James Wisniewski

Petri Kontiola and Kris Versteeg have been returned to Rockford.

Magnus Johansson, David Koci, and Sergei Samsonov are scheduled to be the scratches heading into this morning’s game-day skate.  Nikolai Khabibulin will start unless an act of God Almighty (not Eddie O), prevents him from doing so.

After leaving Sunday night’s game with a nasty facial gash, Wisniewski skated Tuesday with a face shield and is expected to play.

Unless you watch Hawks games with the sound muted, (which if you haven’t already I suggest you give it a try, it makes the broadcast much more enjoyable) you’ll already know yesterday marked the one-year anniversary (November 27, 2006) of Denis Savard being named Blackhawks’ head coach.   Moment of silence for Trent Yawney and his opinions of the next-great Finnish scorer Tony Salmelainen. 

* Catching up, I’ve only seen Thursday’s game in Calgary but the move of keeping Byfuglien in Chicago to play wing is certainly due to the Hawks’ desperate need for bigger wingers who can play with more of a physical edge.  The Blackhawks don’t get out shot because they can’t skate with their opponents, however they certainly can’t prevent the opposition from navigating the ice as they see fit.  Calgary exposed that weakness.

* Furthermore, GM Dale Tallon must address the need for an intimidating forward to skate alongside Toews and Kane (and no, Patrick Sharp isn’t that guy).  Those two should never get touched without some sort of redemption.  Not a fight or an undisciplined penalty, but an understanding that any defenseman or winger who plays the body on either of the two super-rookies will pay the price two-fold over the course of the remainder of the evening.  Toews was manhandled by two and three Flames’ defenders at a time Thursday and while Ruutu tried, and James Wisniewski left his position to inflict two memorable bodychecks, the Flames’ in question never faced retribution for their attacks on the Hawks’ rookie.

** Four more games added to Home TV Schedule

Wednesday March 5 vs. Anaheim Prongers

Wednesday March 12 vs. Carolina Staals

Wednesday March 19 vs. Washington Ovechkins

Wednesday April 2^nd vs. Detroit Zetterbergs

I thought 7 dated were all Comcast could fit into their schedule?  Or, did Chevy accidentally add a zero to that check they sent Rocky?  It wouldn’t be like a Wirtz to report an accounting error.

ChrisBlock@TheThirdManIn.com 

I'll never put faith in California communications systems again.  Or bald Italian guys.

Chicago Wolves owner Don Levin is Rocky's, Blackhawks biggest fan Barry Rozner, 11/23 Daily Herald

Changes just beginning for Hawks 11/21

Tim Sassone Dale Tallon the one facing pressure to keep momentum going 11/21 Daily Herald

Mike Imrem Make way here come the MacHawks 11/21 Daily Herald

Len Ziehm Bye, Cubs…. Hello Blackhawks 11/21 Sun-Times

Hawks superstar rookies comfortable in Chicago, on the ice Tim Sassone, 11/23 Daily Herald

Hawks pipeline to Rockford stays productive 11/23 Sassone

Kane's parents grateful to Blackhawks as whirlwind continues Sassone 11/23 Daily Herald

Sun-Times calling it a success, Hawks content with 2-2-2 road trip Len Ziehm

''It was better than the last couple years anyway,'' defenseman Duncan Keith said, ''so that's a positive. A lot of good things went on during the trip. Now it's time to take it home and keep it going.''

Toews proving to be no one goal wonder Dan Rosen, NHL.com

Lapointe keeps his streak alive Len Ziehm, Sun-Times

''He's our future captain,'' Savard said. ''He's a special, special kid. He reminds me of Bryan Trottier. Not bad for a kid, eh? I see a little bit of Rod Brind'Amour in there, too.''

Tripped up in road trip finale; Canucks 2, Hawks 0 Len Ziehm, Sun-Times

Khabibulin finds comfort zone, Savvy gushes Len Ziehm 11/24 Sun-Times

Keenan 'reunion' not such a big deal to Savard Tim Sassone, 11/22 Daily Herald

Despite past, Savard says he respects Keenan Len Ziehm, 11/23 Sun-Times

Chicago 2, Flames 1 - Hawks short-handed indeed Ziehm, 11/23 Sun-Times

McDonough meets, greets Hawks players during first full day on job Sassone 11/22 Daily Herald

With McDonough, Hawks ready to rock Sassone 11/20

Wirtz hits a homer with McDonough Sassone

Goin’ IceHog wild, Hawks call on Versteeg, Dowell Ziehm, 11/22 Sun-Times

Harry, Beanies, guest conductors; McDonough's legacy Mike Spellman, 11/21 Daily Herald

McDonough draws on Finks' sage advice Spellman 11/21

Breaking the ice with the new Blackhawks' chief Spellman 11/21

McDonough flees Cubs' chaos Jay Mariotti, 11/21 Sun-Times

McDonough gets 5-years, 1yr option from Hawks, Cubs move on Bruce Miles, 11/21 Daily Herald

A baker's dozen (13) Harvey Wittenberg, blackhawks.nhl.com

Circus Trip Send in the Clowns - Van Oler says not too many smiling Van Oler, blackhawks.nhl.com

Unliked in Russia, Martin St. Pierre happy to be back in AHL Lindsay Kramer, NHL.com

No, I'm not dead.  But thanks to those who sent their thoughtful concerns.

I'm back from vacation which saw me, unexpectedly, without internet access thanks to the fine folks at Verizon in Rancho Cucamonga.  As a whole, I won’t complain too much since I wasn’t lit on fire, the bars were good, beer tasted normal, and the turkey was de-assed.  Good deal.

For the weekend portion of the trip I had no intentions of updating here as I’m not allowed to handle electronic devices while basking in a much anticipated sojourn to the land of intoxication also referred to as Las Vegas.

I’ll be catching up on the Blackhawks action I missed while away this past week tonight and the site will be getting back to normal over the course of the next day.

Tomorrow is Wednesday and the Blackhawks return to the United Center to host Nikolai Khabibulin’s 2004 Stanley Cup Champion teammates, Tampa Bay Lightning.  Our game preview will be online tomorrow morning along with the daily update.

ChrisBlock@TheThirdManIn.com

Chairman W. Rockwell Wirtz and Blackhawks President John McDonough

Photo credit: blackhawks.nhl.com

Chairman Rocky Wirtz introduces his new Team President John McDonough

 Press conference Part Two, Part Three blackhawks.nhl.tv 

John McDonough to Blackhawks fans, past and present

“To all of you Blackhawks fans out there, it’s time to come back.  You’re going to be very proud of the direction we’re headed.”

‘Hawks new President continued…

“It’s time to be enthusiastic.  It’s time to be energetic.  It’s time to get excited about the Chicago Blackhawks.”

McDonough’s on his agreement with the Blackhawks, described as “multi-year”

“It’s long enough to get this job done both on and off the ice.”

On whether the impending Tribune sale and expected Cubs sale affected his decision

“It played a role, but quite frankly, this was the right opportunity for me at the right time.”

Rocky Wirtz first met with John McDonough ten days ago.  Their lunch meeting was scheduled to be an hour, but the two met for over four hours discussing the Blackhawks organization, John’s backround and a possible agreement.  McDonough acknowledged the deal “came together rather quickly.”

McDonough revealed it was the Blackhawks who contacted him and despite speculation over the summer in Fred Mitchell’s column published in the Chicago Tribune, he had never been approached by the Blackhawks until recently.  This was the first time he’d ever been spoken to about a position with the Hawks.

McDonough is aware of the task at hand

“It’s going to be a challenge.”

He disagrees with the notion that there are not nearly as many Hawks fans as Bulls or Bears supporters.

“We’re gonna wake ‘em up.”

Joking that perhaps as a 25 year employee of the Cubs organization, he may be their jinx

“To all the Cubs fans out there, this guarantees by me leaving, that you will win the World Series.”

** More here in Blackhawks Official Press Release

Rocky Wirtz on his hiring of McDonough

 “By hiring John McDonough, we are adding one of the top talents in sports management and marketing. I am thrilled we found a guy who grew up in Chicago, stayed here and achieved outstanding success here. There are 81 years of history with the Blackhawk franchise and John understands that.”

Wirtz is hoping McDonough can do for the Hawks what he did with the Cubs

“What John did was create the partnerships that brought resources to the Cubs so they could pursue talented ballplayers. We will be relying on his creativity as he takes the helm of the Blackhawks to help us reach our ultimate goal of winning a championship,” Wirtz said.

McDonough officially resigned as Cubs Team President this morning.

John McDonough is a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Niles, Illinois and grew up on the Northwest Side in Chicago’s Edison Park neighborhood.  McDonough matriculated at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota and graduated in 1975.

ChrisBlock@TheThirdManIn.com

Photo credits: TheAHL.com

Chicago Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon announced today that he’s re-assigned center Dave Bolland to Rockford of the American Hockey League.

Concurrently, Tallon has promoted two Rockford IceHogs’ forwards; Jacob Dowell and Kris Versteeg.   This goes to show what I know.

Today’s movements were precipitated by Rene Bourque’s injury (broken thumb) suffered in Saturday’s 5-3 win in Detroit and Martin Havlat’s right shoulder being judged to be unfit for play at this time by doctors at the Cleveland Clinic following a strength evaluation exam.  Our Havlat story and Reader Mailbag is available here.

Blackhawks Official Press Release

Here’s how the 23-man roster now shakes out…..

1-       Sergei Samsonov * Robert Lang * Jason Williams

2-       Tuomo Ruutu * Jonathan Toews * Patrick Kane

3-       Yanic Perreault * Patrick Sharp * Adam Burish

4-       Kris Versteeg * Jacob Dowell * Martin Lapointe

D1- Duncan Keith * Brent Seabrook

D2- Andrei Zyuzin * Brent Sopel

D3- Jim Vandermeer * James Wisniewski

G- Nikolai Khabibulin, Patrick Lalime

XD- Dustin Byfuglien * Magnus Johansson

XF- David Koci (expected to come off IR this week)

Injured Reserve:  Martin Havlat (right shoulder), Rene Bourque (broken thumb), Kevyn Adams (left acl/mcl)

I can’t say I’m surprised by the Jacob Dowell promotion considering Dale Tallon decided to send Dave Bolland back to Rockford.  Still, I didn’t see that one coming.

The Versteeg move is a bit more puzzling.  With Havlat unable to play and Bourque going down, I thought Tallon would use the opportunity to bring up a two-way forward (Dowell, Fraser, Blunden) and give one of the young offensive prospects (Skille, Kontiola) a chance for a few games.

As noted here this morning, Skille is not ready.  He’s orbits the ice on the perimeter and gets knocked off the puck too much for someone projected to be a power forward.  His shot is good but he has to work at getting it off more and from different angles.

Petri Kontiola’s below-average weekend may have stunted his chance for a call up.  He’s a quirky player.  One second he’s skating with the puck and you think he’s about to fall over.  The next, he’s stick handling around you, deking you’re goaltender and celebrating another goal.  He reminds me of Anaheim Ducks winger Corey Perry in that way.  Kontiola is a smart puck handler with good vision and has missed out on some assists this season because his line mates didn’t realize they we’re in a position to anticipate getting a pass from him.

Keeping eight defenseman baffles me.  Four of those, Keith, Seabrook, Sopel and Wisniewski are unlikely to be benched by Denis Savard anytime soon.  Jim Vandermeer has played very well of late and would now fit into that category as well.

That leaves one blue line position open for three rostered backliners.  It just doesn’t make sense?

Johansson would have to clear waivers before being sent to Rockford and seeing that there’s a team out on the left coast with horrible new RBK jerseys and a depleted defense core (Canucks from Vancouver), its to be expected Johansson would be scooped up quickly by the B.C. Orcas.

Neither Versteeg nor Dowell have seen action in the NHL yet in their careers.

Versteeg played nearly his entire junior hockey in Lethbridge (also where he’s from) and Red Deer, which are each a modest drive from Calgary, where the Hawks play on Thursday.  The 5’10, 180lbs winger was acquired from Boston on February 3, 2007 in exchange for Brandon Bochenski.  Since the trade, Bochenski has 11 goals in 39 games with the Bruins but has yet to dent the net this season.  Bochenski showed up in Bruins’ camp this fall after allegedly packing on 20 pounds of muscle over the summer.  The former Hawks and Ottawa Senators winger paid immediate dividends for Boston last season, scoring 11 times and adding 11 assists in 31 games.

Jacob Dowell, a native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin (about an hour and fifteen minutes east of St. Paul, MN via I-94) and four-year member of the Wisconsin Badgers hockey team was signed to his first professional contract on March 22^nd along with Jack Skille, both Badgers.  Dowell served as Wisconsin’s assistant captain in ’06-07, taking over for Joe Pavelski, who left school for the San Jose Sharks.  Dowell’s 19 goals led all Badgers in his senior season.

Chicago’s second fifth-round selection (140^th overall) in the 2004 Entry Draft, Dowell’s projected as a two-way, checking line center in the NHL.  So he’s getting an early tryout at the position the Hawks hope he can provide depth at down the road.  Dowell just as with Adam Burish (captain of Wisconsin Badgers ’05-06), brings the Blackhawks another strong-character guy in the dressing room.  Consistent in Rockford, Dowell amassed five goals and four assists, while maintaining a plus-1 in 17 games with the Ice Hogs.  Dowell regularly skated on the ‘Hogs third line and main penalty killing unit.

ChrisBlock@TheThirdManIn.com

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UPDATE: Martin Havlat's shoulder is better, but not strong enough Blackhawks press release

TTMI: Hawks’ web site does not say his shoulder failed the exam, only that “the possibility exists that he may return to the Hawks’ lineup Wednesday November 28 (next home date vs. Tampa Bay).”  Translated:  He’s not ready.  His shoulder did not pass the strength examination.   GM Dale Tallon will likely be forced to recall two forwards from Rockford today.

Answering some contributions to the email bag…..

-- Question from emailer Jon.

Dan Kelly never said who the latest draft pick to play for the Hawks was?  He said Burish and Byfuglien were two but never the other.  Who is it?

Well I watched half of the game on the treadmill and didn’t hear what he said exactly, but I would have no idea what Dan Kelly was talking about the other night when he said Adam Burish wasn’t the latest Blackhawks’ NHL Entry draft to play for the team?

Burish was selected by the Hawks, 282^nd overall in the ninth round of the 2002 Entry Draft.

Burish is the latest overall selection to ever play in an NHL game with the Blackhawks.

If Kelly or his statistician was ranking the players by the round drafted, that’s different.  Factually though, it would be incorrect.  Amateurs are ranked and selected by number, not round.

Since 1978, Darryl Sutter (1978, 10^th round, #179 overall), Dominik Hasek (1983, 10^th round, #199 overall), David Mackey (1984, 10^th round, #224 overall), Sean Williams (1986, 12^th round, #245 overall), Steve Dubinsky (1990, 11^th round, #226 overall) have