Hawks Agree To Terms With Byfuglien, Burish, Wisniewski

Chicago Blackhawks Press Release

General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the Blackhawks have agreed to terms with three of the team’s restricted free agents – Adam Burish (forward), Dustin Byfuglien (forward) and James Wisniewski (defenseman).Burish, 25, appeared in 81 games for the Blackhawks last season scoring four goals and four assists for eight points to go with 214 penalty minutes, which lead the Blackhawks and ranked 3rd in the NHL.

Burish was selected by the Blackhawks in the 9th round, 282nd overall, of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 90 career games with the Blackhawks recording four goals and four assists for eight points and 216 penalty minutes.

Burish played four seasons at the University of Wisconsin where he served as Captain of the 2005-06 team that won the NCAA Championship. He recently played for Team USA at the 2008 World Championship with fellow teammates Patrick Kane and James Wisniewski.

Byfuglien, 23, appeared in 67 games for the Blackhawks last season scoring 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points with 59 penalty minutes. He began the 2007-08 season in Rockford of the American Hockey League to rehab after suffering a rib injury during the preseason. In Rockford, he appeared in eight games scoring two goals and five assists for seven points and 25 penalty minutes while notching a plus/minus rating of +6 before being recalled on November 3.

Byfuglien was selected by the Blackhawks in the 8th round, 245th overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 101 career games with the Blackhawks recording 23 goals and 21 assists for 44 points and 93 penalty minutes.

Wisniewski, 24, appeared in 68 games for the Blackhawks last season scoring seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points and 103 penalty minutes while posting a plus/minus rating of +12.

Wisniewski was selected by the Blackhawks in the 5th round, 156th overall, of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 137 career games with the Blackhawks recording 11 goals and 32 assists for 43 points and 178 penalty minutes.

In addition to his NHL career, Wisniewski has enjoyed success on the international level having played on three Gold Medal winning teams for the United States. In 2004, he was a member of the USA team that won the World Junior Championship. Wisniewski also won Gold Medals at the 2001 World Under-17 Challenge and the 2002 World Under-18 Championship. He recently played for Team USA at the 2008 World Championship.

Source: Blackhawks Official Website