Blackhawks sign Ryan Johnson

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed center Ryan Johnson to a one-year contract.

Johnson, 34, has skated in one game with the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs since signing a professional tryout offer with the club earlier this month. The Thunder Bay, Ontario, native is a veteran of 667 career National Hockey League regular-season games, registering 37 goals, 79 assists and 242 penalty minutes over the course of 12 seasons with the Florida Panthers (1997-00, 01-03), Tampa Bay Lightning (2000-01), St. Louis Blues (2003-08) and Vancouver Canucks (2008-10). He also posted three points (G, 2A) in 25 Stanley Cup Playoff tilts with St. Louis and Vancouver.

Originally chosen with the 32nd overall selection of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by Florida, Johnson has won 53.5% of his faceoffs over the last five seasons with the Blues and Canucks. He has finished in the top four among NHL forwards in blocked shots in each of the last three seasons, which includes first in 2007-08 (105) and third last season (85).

Johnson will wear jersey number 17 when the Blackhawks will host the Detroit Red Wings tonight at 7:30 P.M. The game can be seen locally on Comcast SportsNet Chicago and heard on 720 WGN.