Blackhawks Sign Free Agent Defenseman Cullimore

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have signed free agent defenseman Jassen Cullimore. The exact length and financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but he has likely been signed through the rest of the season. The Blackhawks then assigned him to their AHL affiliate in Rockford. This will be his second stint with the team. In 68 games with the Florida Panthers last season, Cullimore scored two goals and eight assists for 10 points and 37 penalty minutes. In 776 career NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, and Florida Panthers, he has 26 goals and 77 assists for 103 points and 696 penalty minutes. He won a Stanley Cup in 2004 with the Lightning. This is really just a depth signing for the Blackhawks. Cullimore gives the team a big, physical, defensive blueliner with plenty of experience for the playoff run. He will likely spend most of the rest of the season in the minors unless the team suffers an injury on defense.