Blackhawks Sign Jamal Mayers to One-Year Extension

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have re-signed center Jamal Mayers to a one-year contract worth $650,000.  He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer.  In 81 games this past season, he had six goals and nine assists for 15 points and 91 penalty minutes.  This is a fairly solid depth signing for the Blackhawks, as Mayers is a big, tough forward who won't back down from a challenge.  He plays with lots of grit, toughness, and energy and is decent on the penalty kill.  He doesn't have a lot of offensive ability, so he will likely continue to play a checking line role with the team in 2012-13.