Blackhawks sign forward Bolland to three-year deal
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks signed Dave Bolland to a three-year deal Thursday, filling a need at forward.
Two of the Blackhawks' top forwards, Tuomo Ruutu and Eric Daze, played a combined 17 games this season. Ruutu was sidelined by a sore back and severed tendons in his ankle. Daze, who has undergone three operations for herniated lumbar discs, has probably played his last NHL game.
Bolland appeared in 59 regular-season games for the London Knights this season with 57 goals and 73 assists.
Selected by the Blackhawks in the second round of the 2004 draft, the 19-year-old Toronto native also played for Team Canada at the 2006 World Junior Championships.
The Blackhawks finished the regular season 26-43-13 with 65 points -- the third-worst record in the 30-team NHL.
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press
