Blackhawks Sign Corazzini, Koci and Hendry

[Thrillhouse]

CHICAGO – Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the Blackhawks have signed center Carl Corazzini and defenseman David Koci to one-year deals and defenseman Jordan Hendry to a two-year deal.

Corazzini, 27, played for the Norfolk Admirals in the 2005-06 season. The center skated in 75 games for the Admirals tallying 26 goals and 29 assists for 55 points, a plus-7 rating and 16 penalty minutes. His 55 points were the fourth highest total on the team trailing only Martin St. Pierre (73), Mark Cullen (68) and Nathan Barrett (61). The 5’10”, 182 lb. center also registered 13 power play goals, tying Cullen for second most on the team. He also skated in four playoff games for the Admirals recording four points (two goals, two assists).

Corazzini made his NHL debut in 2003-04 with the Boston Bruins, appearing in 12 games and scoring two goals. He played four years of collegiate hockey at Boston University (1997-2001) appearing in 150 games and registering 62 goals and 55 assists for 117 points and 108 penalty minutes. In 2000-01, he was Boston University’s captain and was named second team All American.

Koci, 25, was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 5th round (146th overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. The 6’6”, 236 lbs. defenseman from Prague, Czech Republic has played the last four seasons with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate. Koci appeared in only 13 games in 2005-06 due to injury. In 2004-05, Koci set new career-highs in assists (8), points (9) and penalty minutes (311) while playing in 68 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Hendry, a 22-year-old defenseman, signed an amateur tryout (ATO) on March 18, 2006 with the Norfolk Admirals after a successful four-year career with the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Hendry, 6’0”, 205 lbs., appeared in 13 games for Norfolk registering five points (one goal, four assists), 13 penalty minutes and a plus-7 rating. Hendry, an alternate captain in his last two years at Alaska Fairbanks, recorded 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) and 143 penalty minutes in 112 games for the Nanooks.

[Blouin]

Maybe Koci gets some playing time.

[RetardedChimp]

Originally Posted by Blouin

Maybe Koci gets some playing time.

Probably to replace Thornton on the Ads.

[Jensen]

Originally Posted by RetardedChimp

Probably to replace Thornton on the Ads.

And probably Mike Brown too. I'm sure he'll get playing time. If Dustin Byfuglien makes the Blackhawks roster, that would leave Norfolk with Wisniewski, Richmond, Munn, Hendry, and Lee. That leaves room for another defenseman most likely Koci.

[thesaint22]

Where does this dude rank among AHL tough guys?

[nsh03]

Originally Posted by Jensen

And probably Mike Brown too. I'm sure he'll get playing time. If Dustin Byfuglien makes the Blackhawks roster, that would leave Norfolk with Wisniewski, Richmond, Munn, Hendry, and Lee. That leaves room for another defenseman most likely Koci.

I think Wisniewski makes the Hawks roster ahead of Byfuglien.

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

Originally Posted by nsh03

I think Wisniewski makes the Hawks roster ahead of Byfuglien.

Thats an interesting question. From what everyone is saying, that race it neck and neck.

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

Originally Posted by thesaint22

Where does this dude rank among AHL tough guys?

Average.

[cowboy]

Koci will fight a lot. hopefully he'll get a chance to make it to the NHL. I don't know with the new rules, but his skating definately isn't bad for a big man.

[Podollan]

If Koci is healthy he is much more worth than a Mike Brown.

[GO HABS]

With Low now in the picture I doubt he'll play with the Hawks.

[Jensen]

Originally Posted by GO HABS

With Low now in the picture I doubt he'll play with the Hawks.

If you're talking about Koci, he wasn't going to play with the Hawks. He was signed to be Norfolk's enforcer since they lost Shawn Thornton and probably Mike Brown.

[GO HABS]

Originally Posted by Jensen

If you're talking about Koci, he wasn't going to play with the Hawks. He was signed to be Norfolk's enforcer since they lost Shawn Thornton and probably Mike Brown.

I was, but without Low, he might have seen a few games in the bigs.

[Jensen]

Originally Posted by GO HABS

I was, but without Low, he might have seen a few games in the bigs.

He doesn't have the skill to see a few games in the bigs.

[camx]

Originally Posted by Jensen

He doesn't have the skill to see a few games in the bigs.

I agree he was having a tough time this past season in the AHL adjusting to the "new" rules before his injury... Koci is a physical big guy who will play hard but doesnt have much skill but is always willing to drop the gloves win or lose..