Chicago Blackhawks assign experienced forward to the AHL's Rockford IceHogs

The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Sunday that they have activated forward Joey Anderson from injured reserve.

In a corresponding move, they've also assigned him to the AHL affiliate Rockford IceHogs.

The moves took place before the Blackhawks played the Anaheim Ducks at United Center on Sunday night.

Last year with the IceHogs, Anderson had 27 points (17G, 10A) in 33 total games with the IceHogs and also got in 9 games of NHL experience under his belt.

Anderson was also waived by the Blackhawks earlier in the week but wasn't claimed by any of the 31 other clubs in the 24-hour time window that he was up for grabs.

Anderson was taken with the 73rd overall pick by the New Jersey Devils in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft while he was playing for the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs.

He started his career in the Devils organization by rotating his time between the NHL and their AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Devils, before he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for forward Andreas Johnsson.

He then signed a 3-year deal with the Maple Leafs with an AAV (average annual value) of $750,000 but would later be traded to the Blackhawks for Jake McCabe, Sam Lafferty, and 2 future conditional picks in the NHL Entry Draft.

His highest NHL experience came with Chicago in 2023-24 when he played in 55 games and had 17 points (5G, 12A).

In 169 career NHL games, Anderson has 40 points (19G, 21A).