It was announced by the Chicago Blackhawks via Twitter on Thursday that Dylan Strome has been placed on the IR, with an injury to his right ankle that he suffered on Jan. 7 against the Calgary Flames. Strome has 10 goals and 20 points in 40 games with the Blackhawks this season.
Brandon Hagel has been recalled to replace Strome in the Blackhawks' line up, and will likely get some top-six minutes. Hagel is currently the leading scorer on Chicago's AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, with 13 goals and 21 points in 38 games,
Hagel played four seasons of junior with the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL. He led the Rebels in scoring in 2018-19 with 41 goals and 102 points, and he finished second in team scoring twice.
In 2016, Hagel was selected 159th overall by the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo failed to sign him in time, so he entered free agency, and on Oct. 30, 2018, he signed a three-year entry level deal with the Blackhawks.
This is Hagel's first call up to the NHL, and he is expected to make his debut on Saturday as Chicago takes on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After struggling at the start of the season, the Blackhawks are starting to get back on track. They have won their past three in a row and currently sit four points out of a playoff spot with a lot of hockey remaining. They are fifth in the Central Division with 50 points (22-20-6).
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