St. Pierre returning to Rockford

The Rockford IceHogs have signed center Martin St. Pierre to an AHL contract for the 2012-13 season.

The upcoming campaign marks the second season in Rockford for St. Pierre. The Embrun, Ont., native appeared in 69 games with the IceHogs in 2007-08 and recorded 21 goals and 67 assists for 88 points. His 88 points were second most in the AHL and the point and assist totals still stand as IceHogs single-season records during the club’s AHL era.

“We are thrilled to welcome back Martin to the IceHogs family,” said Mark Bernard, general manager of minor league affiliations for the Chicago Blackhawks. “It’s not often you get an opportunity to obtain one of the premier forwards in the AHL. And we feel with his character and playmaking ability, he will be a great asset in assisting in the development of our prospects.”

St. Pierre spent the 2011-12 campaign with the Springfield Falcons (AHL), leading the team with 64 points, including 11 goals and 53 assists in 73 games. The center is a four-time AHL All-Star, including in 2008 when he was a member of the IceHogs. He was also selected to the AHL All-Star Classic in 2006, 2007 and 2010.

In 440 career AHL games with Edmonton, Norfolk, Rockford, Providence, Binghamton and Springfield, St. Pierre has compiled 125 goals and 344 assists for 469 points. St. Pierre has also notched three goals and five assists in 38 NHL games with Chicago, Boston and Ottawa.