Kris Versteeg Signs Deal with Blackhawks

CHICAGO - The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with winger Kris Versteeg on a three-year deal, the club announced Wednesday.

The 23-year-old Lethbridge native had an impressive rookie campaign, leading allfirst-year pros with 31 assists while ranking second with 53 points. He was fourth among rookies with 22 goals earning him a nominationfor the 2009 Calder Trophy.`Kris' tremendous rookie season was a big reason the team wasable to go as far as it did,' Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon said in a statement. `He is part of a core of young players that is going to make this franchise successful for a long time.'

Versteeg, who was named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team, finished third in the league with seven short-handed points, which included four short-handed markers, tying a franchise record by a rookie. He also recorded the first-ever goal at Wrigley Field when hescored 3:24 into the Winter Classic 2009 on Jan. 1 against Detroit, finishing the game with two points. The deal is reported to be 9 million over those 3-seasons.

(The Canadian Press)