Kero's turn to get shot with Chicago Blackhawks

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The revolving door between Rockford and Chicago continued to spin this week as the Blackhawks called up center Tanner Kero and defenseman Erik Gustafsson, while reassigning Vincent Hinostroza back to the IceHogs.

At practice Wednesday, Kero took Hinostroza's spot on the third line with Teuvo Teravainen and Ryan Garbutt on the wings. He is slated make his NHL debut when the Hawks play at Winnipeg on Thursday.

"I like his quickness," coach Joel Quenneville said. "He wants the puck. I think based on how well he played, it's a nice progression. So we look forward to seeing him."

Kero, who was signed April 2 after playing for four years in the WCHA, has torn it up in the AHL. In just 13 regular-season games with Rockford (seven this season), Kero racked up 11 goals. He was AHL player of the week last week with 3 goals, an assist and a plus-5 rating in three games.

The Hancock, Michigan, native said he's never been on a hot streak like this before.

"I've always looked at myself more as a playmaker and getting more assists than goals, and trying to play that role," Kero said. "So it's little bit different, but you've just got to take advantage of it."

The Hawks have been cycling through forwards since they opened the season, looking for somebody to stand out. The list includes Hinostroza (four games), Ryan Buan (two) and Bryan Bickell (healthy scratch last three).

With that in mind, Kero understands there's pressure to perform immediately.

"Yeah, I mean, you're just thankful for the opportunity," he said. "You've just got to try and come in and do your best every day, work hard and just hope you can stay as long as you can."

Gustafsson, a native of Nynashamn, Sweden, signed with the Hawks as a free agent April 30. He was fifth among Swedish Hockey League defensemen with 29 points last season (4 goals).

Quenneville said Wednesday he doesn't expect to change the defense pairings from the last three games, so Gustafsson figures to sit out at least Thursday's game.

Paying tribute:

The Hawks ran a drill at practice Wednesday in which each line skated down the ice without a puck. The players made several "ghost passes," scored an imaginary goal and then jumped on each other, celebrating like they would in a game.

Coach Joel Quenneville told the media afterward that it was done in tribute to Jimmy Roberts, who assisted under Quenneville in St. Louis from 1996-2002 and passed away Friday at 75.

"We do the drill every day (with the puck)," Quenneville said. "But without the pucks is his flavor added to it, which players get a kick out of that part of it."

Quenneville had a smile on his face recalling his colleague and friend.

"It was great, because I can see him on the ice doing it, and he's moving and he's got the mittens and the Tuque, or the hat that he wears," Quenneville said. "That was his trademark."

Roberts won five Stanley Cups while playing for the Montreal Canadiens, and he also was the Blues' first pick in the 1967 expansion draft.

Red Wings (stink)?

Tanner Kero is from Michigan, so it should come as no surprise that he grew up a huge Detroit Red Wings fan. How fast did that go away once he was signed by the Hawks?

"That was very immediate, yeah," Kero said.