The Blackhawks announced yesterday that defenseman Dennis Gilbert and forward Anton Wedin were sent to Rockford, joining the IceHogs for their training camp.
There was speculation that one or both players could crack the opening night roster for Jeremy Colliton, but their 2019–20 season debuts will have to wait.
Wedin looked impressive in primarily a third-line role this preseason after signing May 11, 2019, out of Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan league. The 26-year-old had one assist in four preseason games, but the numbers game simply did not favor his chances of opening the season in Chicago.
Gilbert, 22, impressed fans and the coaching staff in the preseason with his physical play. He made such an impression on Rockford head coach Derek King that King named him captain of the Traverse City rookie team earlier this month. Playing in the Blackhawks’ last exhibition game on Sunday against Eisbaren Berlin, Gilbert made waves with two physical plays and a nice sprawling breakup of an opposing rush in the closing seconds.
Anton Wedin
Dennis Gilbert