Blackhawks drop 10 from pre-season roster

The Chicago Blackhawks trimmed 10 players from its training camp roster on Friday (Sept. 25), assigning five to the Rockford Ice Hogs and releasing another five from Professional Tryout Contracts.

The following players have been re-assigned to Rockford of the American Hockey League.

Mike Liambas – A 26-year-old, 5’10,” 203 lbs. utility player from Woodbridge, ON, Liambas played the previous two seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals where last season he picked up eight points (5g, 3a) and 158 penalty minutes in 54 games.

Mathieu Brisebois – A 23-year-old, 5’10,” 174 lbs. defenseman from Mont-St-Hiliare, QC, Brisebois split time between the Ice Hogs as well as the Rapid City Rush and Indy Fuel of the ECHL last season. With the Rush he collected 30 points (9g, 21a) and 44 minutes in penalties in 36 games, adding another five points (1g, 4a) and 14 penalty minutes in a 13 game playoff run.

Dillon Fournier – A 21-year-old, 6’2,” 181 lbs. defenseman from Dorval, QC, Fournier split time between the Ice Hogs and Indy Fuel last season, his first pro campaign after finishing off three seasons of play with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junor Hockey League.

Dennis Robertson – A 24-year-old, 6’4,” 216 lbs. defenseman from Fort St. John, BC, Robertson was selected in the Sixth Round (173rd Overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Last season he played his first full season of pro hockey with the Charlotte Checkers, collecting 17 points (3g, 14a) and 70 penalty minutes in 57 games.

Nolan Valleau – A 22-year-old, 6’1,” 174 lbs. defenseman from Novi, MI, Valleau will be playing his rookie season of pro at Rockford after finishing his second and final season of College play at Bowling Green last season. At Bowling Green, Valleau collected 19 points (2g, 17a) and 35 penalty minutes in 39 games.

The following players were released by the Blackhawks

Daniel Ciampini – A 25-year-old, 5’11,” 185 lbs. winger from Concord, ON; Ciampini finished a four year run at Union College this past spring and got a 15-game taste of pro hockey with the AHL’s Worcester Sharks at the end of the compaign, picking up six points (3g, 3a) and a minor penalty while finishing with a +5 rating.

Jake Dowell – A one-time member of the Blackhawks, Dowell is a 30-year-old, 6’0,” 201 lbs. center from Eau-Claire, WI. Last season, Dowell played 76 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL, collecting 15 points (5g, 10a) and 75 penalty minutes. He was named the team’s Assistant Captain. Dowell was originally selected by the Hawks in the Fifth Round (140th Overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Dane Walters – A 26-year-old, 6’0,” 198 lbs. winger from St. Paul, MN, Walters last season split time between the Ice Hogs and the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye. In 19 games with the Ice Hogs, he collected six points (1g, 5a) and 14 penalty minutes, and ended with a +1 rating.

Sam Jardine – A 22-year-old, 6’2,” 209 lbs. defenseman from Lacombe, AB, Jardine was a Sixth Round (169th Overall) selection of the Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He is entering his first season of pro having wrapped up four seasons at Ohio State University. Last season with the Buckeyes, Jardine picked up 12 points (2g, 10a) and 29 penalty minutes and he was named the team’s Assistant Captain.

Nick Mattson – A 23-year-old, 6’1,” 179 lbs. defenseman from Chanhassen, MN; Mattson completed his fourth season at North Dakota University this past spring, collecting 21 points (4g, 17a) and 21 penalty minutes. Mattson, was selected by the Blackhawks in the Sixth Round (180th Overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

With these moves, the Hawks have trimmed its Training Camp roster to 48 players — 28 forwards, 15 defensemen and five goaltenders.