Kris Versteeg Signs One-Year Contract With Rockford IceHogs

Earlier this afternoon, the Rockford IceHogs announced that they signed Kris Versteeg to a one-year, AHL level contract. The former two-time Stanley Cup champion last played in the NHL back in the 2017-18 season with the Calgary Flames.

Earlier Monday afternoon, the Rockford IceHogs announced that they signed Kris Versteeg to a one-year, AHL level contract. Versteeg’s AHL contract is not transferable to the NHL, and he would be required to sign a new contract if the Blackhawks did want to call him up at any point during the 2019-20 season. The former two-time Stanley Cup champion last played in the NHL back in the 2017-18 season with the Calgary Flames. This is Versteeg’s third stint within the Chicago Blackhawks organization.

Roster update

The #IceHogs have agreed to terms with 2-time Stanley Cup champ, forward Kris Versteeg, on a 1-year AHL contract thru 2019-20. Versteeg has posted 30+ points in 8 of his seasons in the NHL and was named to the 2008-09 All-Rookie Team

Info | https://t.co/DgGRVo4e1H pic.twitter.com/sAUIa7bdvH

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) April 22, 2019

Kris Versteeg has bounced around the NHL since his second stint with the Blackhawks in 2015. He played for Carolina and Los Angeles in 2015-16, and then he signed with the Calgary Flames a day before the season opener in 2016-17. Versteeg began this past season in the KHL, where he tallied five points in 11 games for Avangard Omsk. Unfortunately, Versteeg contracted the shingles virus shortly after his KHL career began. He was granted his release from Avangard Omsk due to the illness and wasn’t sure if he would play professional hockey ever again. Miraculously, the 32-year-old Versteeg was cleared near the end of the season, and he finished the year with Vaxjo HC of the SHL. He recorded 11 points (4G, 7A) in 12 games to help Vaxjo HC qualify for the SHL playoffs.

The Växjö Lakers HC (SHL) have signed forward Kris Versteeg for the remainder of the season.

Versteeg began the season with Avangard Omsk (KHL) but was granted his released after 11 games due to contracting shingles. pic.twitter.com/cJ9YAMpQb8

— Complete Hockey News (@CompleteHkyNews) February 7, 2019

While Versteeg will likely not play an NHL game with the Blackhawks next season, he is a solid veteran presence that is familiar with the organization. The Blackhawks will have a plethora of forward prospects in Rockford next season, such as Phillip Kurashev, Brandon Hagel, and Mackenzie Entwistle. Versteeg’s signing suggests he is here to help these prospects make the jump to professional hockey. The Chicago Blackhawks’ young prospects could strongly benefit from the signing of Kris Versteeg.