Blackhawks Sign Russian Forward Igor Makarov
The Blackhawks team website has confirmed that they have reached a contract agreement with 2006 draft pick Igor Makarov. Makarov, who was the Hawks second selection and 33rd overall in 2006, has been playing in Russia's KHL and last year tallied nine points (5 G and 4A) and 61 penalty minutes in 51 regular-season games for the Moscow Dynamo and ST. Petersburg SKA.
Taken in the same draft as Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, Markov who is described as a good skater with good skills has seen both experience and success on the international stage during the 2005 World Under-18 Championships and the 2007 World Junior Championships. If Markov makes the roster he will be the first Russian player on the team since goalie Nikolai Khabibulin in the 2008-09 season.
