Hawks acquire Pineault

The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired right wing Adam Pineault from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for right wing Michael Blunden and have assigned him to the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs.

Pineault, 22, has recorded 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) and 36 penalty minutes in 28 games with the American Hockey League's Syracuse Crunch this season. The Holyoke, Mass., native was held scoreless in three games last season during his National Hockey League debut with the Blue Jackets.

The Blue Jackets' second pick (46th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Pineault spent the majority of the 2007-08 season with Syracuse, ranking fourth on the squad with 21 goals and fifth with 27 assists and 48 points - all professional career highs - in 74 contests. He made his professional debut with the Crunch in 2006-07, collecting 12 goals and 28 points in 57 games.

Before turning pro, Pineault recorded 105 points (55 goals, 50 assists) in 116 career games spanning two seasons (2004-06) with the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats. He spent the 2003-04 season as the youngest player in Division I, racking up 8 points and 30 penalty minutes in 28 tilts with Boston College (Hockey East).

Blunden, 22, accrued 10 penalty minutes in 10 games with the Blackhawks in parts of 2006-07 and 2007-08. The Toronto native tallied 10 points and 42 penalty minutes in 37 games with Rockford this season.