The Chicago Blackhawks announced Tuesday that the team has signed free agent defenceman Todd Simpson to a one-year contract.
"Todd's a veteran defenseman who brings extreme toughness," said Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon. "He'll help our young kids, he's a character guy and tremendous in the locker room. Todd's a tough player, he's a heavyweight."
Simpson, 32, 6'3" and 218 pound defenseman has appeared in 529 career NHL regular season games recording 14 goals and 60 assists for 74 points and 1,227 penalty minutes while skating for the Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Ottawa Senators. Simpson has also appeared in nine career Stanley Cup playoff games recording 2 assists and 10 penalty minutes.
Simpson split the 2003-04 season between the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Ottawa Senators appearing in a total of 62 games while registering four goals, four assists for eight points and 152 penalty minutes.
Simpson played in Denmark last season skating for the Herning Blue Fox. He appeared in seven games recording two goals and three assists for five points and 35 penalty minutes. Simpson also played in 16 playoff games recording three goals and five assists for eight points and 82 penalty minutes.