Veteran D-Man spent the last four seasons in Chicago with the Wolves
By Jack Masters @Hogthought on X IceInsider.com IceHogs Analyst
ROCKFORD--The IceHogs today announced the team has signed veteran AHL D-Man Cavan Fitzgerald to an AHL PTO contract. Fitzgerald, 28, has spent the last four seasons with the Chicago Wolves as an Assistant Captain and won a Calder Cup with the Wolves in 2022.
The 6'1" defender posted 27 points in 60 games for Chicago last season as well as a +/- of -7. A "two-way defender", this looks to be a good move for Rockford. He has the ability to play a physical style while also having the skating and puck-moving ability to fill in on the powerplay when needed or jumpstart a rush-up ice with a quick breakout. In an era where the AHL seemingly gets younger and younger, a valuable utility-style veteran-defenseman can bring immense value to a young locker room.
In terms of where we might see Fitzgerald in the lineup, look for him to play a similar role to Austin Strand last season. He has the ability to mesh with anyone on the blueline. Could it be as a veteran body to help Levshunov's fast puck-moving pace of play? Or a 2-way compliment to match with Ethan Del Mastro? Or maybe Sorensen gets crafty and we see a former Rosemont pairing of Austin Strand and Fitzgerald? I'll have a deeper dive into it in my upcoming refreshed 2024-2025 Icehogs roster preview as we get to training camp and the pre-season.
On the contractual side of things, with Fitzgerald being signed to a PTO, The Icehogs have 25 games to determine Fitzgerald and his status post-PTO.
The Blackhawks training camp runs from September 18th to October 4th.
Stay tuned to IceInsider.com for all your IceHogs updates, and news all season long.
Comentários