Justin Fletcher to IceHogs

The Chicago Blackhawks announced Justin Fletcher, a blueliner, has been assigned to the Rockford IceHogs in a minor league trade between the Hawks and the Tampa Bay Lighting in which David Koci was assigned to the Norfolk Admirals from the Rockford IceHogs.

Fletcher comes to Rockford after playing in 39 games with Norfolk this season. The Maryville, Ill. native has a goal and four assists on the season.

Koci has scored only one point in 86 games in the American Hockey League and the NHL according to the Internet hockey data base.

In addition, Kris Versteeg and Niklas Hjalmarsson were called up to the Blackhawks from the IceHogs.

Pavelec on tour Day 3: Tampa Bay

Ondrej Pavelec remains up with the Atlanta Thrashers for his third day since call-up. He was lit by the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday in a 4-2 loss that saw him stop 24 shots on goal. The Thrashers are winless on the road so far. They have been outscored 21-4 on the road.

One of the two goals scored Saturday in Florida was by Brett Sterling. [Correction: this entry gives the very strong impression that Pavelec played all 60 minutes. In fact he played only the last 20 minutes of the game, giving up a power play goal and stopping five shots on goal.]