Chicago Blackhawks organization officially completes 4-player transaction

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Joshua Deeds
July 27, 2024 (7:52 PM)

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The Rockford IceHogs today announced four signings of players for the AHL organization.

All players signed one-year contracts, as forward Kevin Lombardi, defenseman Lucas Brenton, Colin Felix, and Adam McCormick will spend their next year in the AHL.

"Colin is a big, physical defenseman that will bring depth to our back end," said IceHogs President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Mark Bernard. "He has been a champion at the NCAA level and will bring that winning attitude to our locker room in Rockford."

The 25-year-old Felix, spent 23 games with the Utica Comets, posting 2 assists and 41 PIMs, while spending 41 games in the ECHL with the Adirondack Thunder scoring 18 points(5 G, 13 A) and 64 PIMs. He would also be a key piece in the lineup for the Kelly Cup Playoffs, logging 2 assists, and 58 PIMs in 19 Kelly Cup Playoff games. In 2021, prior to turning pro, he helped propel the University of Massachusetts Amherst win a Division 1 title.

"Lucas impressed our staff at the rookie tournament last season as an invite," said Bernard. "He returned to junior in Moose Jaw and helped them win the WHL championship and a berth in the Memorial Cup. His size and strength are very noticeable, and we are excited to watch his development during his first professional season."

The 21-year-old Brenton, was a fixture with the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors in 2023-2024 scoring 17 points(1 G, 16 A). He would also add 7 points( 2 G, 5 A) in pursuit of the Ed Chynoweth Cup, which the Warriors won. Brenton skated with the Chicago Blackhawks during the prospect camp and the 2023 Tom Kurvers Showcase in Minnesota. Brenton played five seasons in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors, in 230 games scoring 53 points( 7 G, 46 A) and 199 PIMs.

"Kevin is someone we had conversations with last summer before he decided to return for his last year of NCAA eligibility," said Bernard. "He's another player with great size who can be physical and hard to play against."

Forward Kevin Lombardi is 25 and finished his last season in the NCAA with Sacred Heart University in 2023-2024 posting a career-high 25 points(11 G, 14 A). After the end of his college career would join the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears scoring an assist in 7 games. The 6'5" 230-pound forward, posted 75 points(37 G, 38 A) across 131 games at the Division I Level of NCAA Hockey. Lombardi served as an Alternate Captain at Sacred Heart University.

"Adam comes to us after an undefeated season at UNB capped off by winning the Canadian University Championship," said Bernard. "He's a very skilled player who is an excellent skater that can play a fast game. He's another player who has a winning pedigree that will be fun to watch this season as he develops and gets used to the pro game."

McCormick, age 24 scored 41 points( 8 G, 33 A) in 28 games with the University of New Brunswick ranking second in scoring on the team among defensemen and fourth on the team overall.

The defenseman helped the UNB to a perfect season in 2023-2024 and secured their 2nd consecutive USports University Cup Championship.

McCormick was also named Atlantic University Sports Second All-Star Team and was selected in 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024.

Prior to arriving at UNB, he played in the QMJHL and won the Kevin Lowe Trophy as the league's best defensive defenseman in 2019-2020, while being a member of the Cape Breton Eagles. McCormick scored 152 points( 29G, 123 A) in 262 QMJHL games while scoring 77 points( 17 G, 60 A) in 78 US Sports contests.

Source: IceHogs
IceHogs Sign Four to AHL Contracts