The Chicago Blackhawks made a flurry of roster moves on Thursday, as 2017 first round draft pick Henri Jokiharju was sent back to his junior team.
Jokiharju, a strong-skating defenseman with an eye for offense, was sent back to the Portland Winterhawks after starting training camp with the Blackhawks. He was not in consideration to make the team, but the Blackhawks feel confident enough in what they saw from him to send him back to juniors.
The Blackhawks also sent forward Radovan Bondra back to his junior team, the WHL’s Prince George Cougars.
Defensemen Carl Dahlstrom and Robin Norell, along with forwards Mathew Highmore, Matheson Iacopelli, Luke Johnson, Graham Knott, and Anthony Louis were all reassigned to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs.
The Blackhawks released two players from their professional tryout contracts, as they said goodbye to forward Tyler Sikura and defenseman Robin Press.
Finally, three players were let loose from their amateur tryout deals, as defenseman Darren Raddysh, goalie Matt Tomkins, and forward William Pelletier were all dismissed from camp.
The Blackhawks’ roster now includes 40 players, including 22 forwards, 13 defensemen, and five goaltenders.
