Chicago Blackhawks announce two large signings including 6-foot-4 dominant defensemen
Photo credit: AHL
The Chicago Blackhawks organization has announced that two players signed one-year deals with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL.
On Monday, Rockford IceHogs General Manager Mark Bernard revealed that defenseman Jérémie Bucheler and forward Joe Carroll signed contracts with the team ahead of the next season. Both players bring useful tools that should give Rockford some added reliability and grit.
Bucheler, a 6-foot-4 right-handed defenseman from Montreal, split last year between the San Jose Barracuda in the AHL and the Wichita Thunder in the ECHL. With Wichita, the 25-year-old scored 32 points in 52 games.
Mark Bernard spoke about what Bucheler adds to the roster:
"Jérémie is a big defenseman who will provide us with depth at a position that can become thin very quickly due to call-ups and injuries," said Bernard. "He defends well and will bring a stabilizing effect on our back end."
Bucheler turned pro in 2024 with the Barracuda, where he notched two assists in 11 games. Before that, he carved out a steady college career-four seasons with Northeastern and one more at Vermont as a grad student. Over 143 NCAA games, he picked up 46 points and carried a +29 rating, showing he could be counted on in his own end.
Carroll comes to Rockford after lighting it up in Wichita, where he scored at over a point-per-game pace through the regular season and playoffs. The Ontario native also represented Canada at the 2024 Spengler Cup alongside IceHogs captain Brett Seney, building chemistry that should carry over to Rockford.
"Joe is another forward that has great size and has enjoyed some success at the AHL level," Bernard said. "His experience will be very valuable and we look forward to watching him continue his development path with us."
Carroll, 24, took part in 69 AHL games between Syracuse and Belleville in the past three years, scoring 30 points. He also put up solid numbers in the OHL, with 142 points over four seasons with the Soo Greyhounds and Peterborough Petes.
For Rockford, and by extension the Blackhawks, these signings add some important insurance and upside. Both players are looking to prove they belong higher up the depth chart, and they'll get that chance this fall.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 15 | 389 ANSWERS Chicago Blackhawks announce two large signings including 6-foot-4 dominant defensemen Do you think the Rockford IceHogs will win the Calder Cup next season? | ||
| Yes | 184 | 47.3 % |
| No | 205 | 52.7 % |
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