CHICAGO, July 29 (UPI) -- The Chicago Blackhawks added a veteran left wing on Tuesday when they signed free agent Ville Nieminen.
Nieminen played with Pittsburgh last season and had nine goals and 12 assists in 75 games with the Penguins. He led the Penguins with two shorthanded goals.
"Ville is a skilled winger who plays an in-your-face style. He is a hard player to play against," Blackhawks General Manager Mike Smith said. "His combination of skill and grit adds depth to our club on the wing."
Nieminen was a third-round draft pick of Colorado in 1997 and appeared in 104 games for the Avalanche before being traded to the Penguins in March 2002. In 192 NHL games, he has 34 goals and 36 assists.
Nieminen also played for Finland at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
