JIMMY HAYES SIGNS ATO WITH ROCKFORD

Rockford, Ill. - Chicago Blackhawks General Manager of Minor League Affiliations Mark Bernard announced on Tuesday that the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs have signed right wing Jimmy Hayes an amateur try-out agreement.

Additionally, rookie forward Chris DiDomenico has been reassigned by Chicago to Rockford and left wing Andy Bohmbach has been recalled by the IceHogs, both from the ECHL's Toledo Walleye. Also, winger Mike Hedden was signed to a professional try-out agreement by Rockford.

Hayes was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round (#60 overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft before being traded to Chicago in exchange for a second-round pick on June 26, 2010.

The Dorchester, Mass. native recently completed his junior season at Boston College (NCAA). The 21 year-old ranked second on the team with 21 goals and tied for third with 33 points. In three years with the Eagles, Hayes accumulated 81 points (42g-39a) in 117 contests.

DiDomenico, 21, has played in 20 games with Rockford during his first professional season and has an assist with six penalty minutes. The Woodbridge, Ont. native was originally drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in round six (#164 overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.  With Toledo, DiDomenico has 9g-16a-25pts and 31 PIM in 37 games played.

Bohmbach, 23, has skated in five games for the IceHogs in 2010-11, recording two assists and four shots on goal. The Hudson, Wisconsin native leads the Walleye with 68 points (25g-43a) in 62 games in his first professional season.

Hedden, 26, is fifth on the Walleye with 46 points (29g-17a) through 54 tilts. The Dunnville, Ont. native registered 18g-14a-32pts in 66 games with Toledo and notched an assist in three games with Grand Rapids in 2009-10.

The IceHogs begin a four-day, nine-day road trip on Wednesday in Lake Erie against the Monsters at 6 p.m.

Next Home Game: Friday, April 8 vs. Lake Erie Monsters: The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Rockford returns home after a five-game, 12-day road swing to take on the Lake Erie Monsters for the sixth and final time this season. The IceHogs will be celebrating Hammy's birthday with several area mascots as the team opens the final weekend of the 2010-11 season.