Forward Chris DiDomenico (left) was traded by Ottawa to Chicago on February 15, 2018, in exchange for defenceman Ville Pokka (right). (Photos: Jason Scourse / Belleville Senators and Rockford Ice Hogs)
As the National Hockey League trade deadline nears, on February 26, American Hockey League teams are starting to feel the effects of deals being made by their parent clubs.
The Belleville Senators are feeling that first hand, as Ottawa has traded forward Chris DiDomenico to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defenceman Ville Pokka.
DiDomenico, a 28 year-old native of Woodbridge, had five goals and nine assists in 25 games with Belleville this season.
He had also netted six goals and four assists in 24 NHL games with Ottawa, along with one goal in three games, during a brief stint with the Syracuse Crunch.
Pokka, a 23 year-old from Tornio, Finland, registered four goals and 18 assists with Chicago’s AHL affiliate the Rockford Ice Hogs and also has an IIHF World Junior Championship gold medal and IIHF World Championship silver medal on his resume.
Pokka, who was a second round draft pick by the New York Islanders in 2012 and was acquired by Chicago in a trade in 2014, made the AHL All-Rookie team in the 2014/15 season and has amassed 28 goals, 99 assists and 127 penalty minutes, during 266 career AHL games.
He’s expected to be in the line up on Friday night when the B-Sens host the Toronto Marlies at Yardmen Arena.
Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. Friday, you can hear the game live on 800 AM CJBQ starting at 6:50 p.m., for Eastern Overhead Doors and Deerhaven Farm and Garden.
