March 31--The Blackhawks have signed Swedish defenseman Robin Norell to a three-year contract, the team announced Friday.
Norell, who was a fourth-round pick of the Hawks in the 2013 entry draft, will report to the team's AHL affiliate in Rockford.
Norell, 21, had eight points in 51 games with Djurgardens IF of the Swedish Hockey League. He previously played in three games during the 2015 Calder Cup playoffs for Rockford.
The Hawks have an affinity for Swedish defensemen. They currently have three on their NHL roster -- Niklas Hjalmarsson, Viktor Svedberg and Erik Gustafsson. Gustafsson also played for Djurgardens IF. Norell skated for Sweden at the World Junior Championships in 2014 and 2015.
