Henri Jokiharju has signed a new contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.

he could be a 2nd pairing D on the hawks for a very long time. I am excited to see what this kid can do.

Great signing by Chicago.

I think this kid has a great shot at making the team in the fall... I hope he does, he only carries a 925k cap hit so.

If not obviously he will be playing in Rockford.... Could see him split time between the Hawks/Hogs...

Certainly a step in the right direction.

I could see him being in Rockford to start. For a couple reasons. First and foremost...the hawks do like kids getting AHL time before NHL time. Sure, I get it, Panarin and Debrincat, BUT this situation has a log jam @ D right now rather than Panarin/Debrincat where there was a need immediately for wingers. Some of that log jam will probably be traded during the season because (2) of them are UFAs next year...so WHEN that happens it's a more natural slide into the NHL AND Bowman doesn't hurt any possible trade value for Oesterle or Rutta. All great stuff though. I'm really excited to see him and can't wait to see Ian Mitchell signed too! (whenever that is, I'm 100% sold on him)

he won't be in Rockford this year. he was drafted out of the WHL, and he wasn't on loan, AFAIK, soooooo CHL transfer agreement rules apply, and it's NHL or juniors for him.

So, the AHL isn't juniors. his contract allows him to be sent down to the minors which is what is meant by "Rockford"...the AHL team.

and I quote (link: https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/chl-no-intentions-changing-underage-rules-ahl-exemptions/):

"The NHL and CHL have an agreement in place that stipulates if a player drafted from one of the three leagues that make up the CHL doesn’t join his NHL club at the beginning of a season, that he must return to the major junior team he was selected from. The AHL is not an option for CHL players until they turn 20."

Henri Jokiharju was drafted from the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL, which is one of the 3 component leagues of the CHL. So, if he wasn't on loan from Finland, he's gotta play for Portland if he doesn't crack Chicago's roster.

OK, you bring up a GREAT point! I'm making an assumption that hadn't been stated yet. I DO think he'll make the roster (he might not and then you're 100% correct) but then like a few other players, he'll be sent down to Rockford after he "Makes the team". Again, he might not. It would be a little bit of a game, but I do think Bowman wants him in the NHL so he'll make the team. After you "make the team" the ball is in Bowman's court, but he could waste a year of ELC.

If he makes the NHL, this entire argument is moot. But, if Quenneville decides he's not ready for the NHL, he's gotta go back to Portland. He can't play for Rockford this year. That was my point when I brought up the NHL-CHL transfer agreement.

Oh, ok I see your point. I needed to see an example. Dylan Strome is a good one. You're right. He went back to the otters...then when his OHL contract was up he went to Tuscon. that right? Thanks!

yeah, that's a typical example of an 18- or 19-year-old CHL player getting a short try-out at the NHL level but then having to go back to major-juniors. A slightly different example is Leon Draisaitl, who played 37 games with Edmonton but then had to be sent back down to his WHL team instead of playing for Bakersfield (if he had played more than 40, he'd have been one year closer to free agency).

This is the best example. Since Jokiharju doesn't turn 20 at any point during this next season he cannot play for Rockford until the Winterhawks (his CHL team) have been eliminated from the playoffs.
Even if he makes the team out of camp he will have to go back to the WHL if they Hawks decide he isn't ready for full time NHL duty. The only time he will be able to go to Rockford is if the Winterhawks season is over.