IceHogs sign Brookbank to AHL deal

The Rockford IceHogs, members of the American Hockey League, have signed veteran forward Wade Brookbank to an AHL contract, Chicago Blackhawks general manager of minor league affiliations Mark Bernard announced on Wednesday.

The native of Lanigan, Sask., (6-4, 225) has played professionally for 13 seasons. Most recently he skated in 68 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2009-10, recording three goals, four assists and 168 penalty minutes.

"We are very excited about adding a player like Wade Brookbank for the upcoming season," Bernard said. "He brings a lot of experience at both the National and American Hockey League level to our team. Wade will be a very versatile player for us as he can play both forward and defense. He will bring a lot of experience to our locker room and also bring an element of toughness to Rockford. We are thrilled that he has chosen the IceHogs organization for the upcoming season."

The winger has appeared in 127 games in the National Hockey League between the Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes, making his NHL debut in 2003-04 with Nashville.

He has skated in 323 games in the AHL with the Penguins, Norfolk, Albany, Providence, Manitoba, Binghamton, Milwaukee and Grand Rapids, recording five goals, 23 assists and 1,072 penalty minutes.