The Tornio, Finland, native has played in 249 career AHL games spanning across four seasons, all with Rockford, totaling 117 points (27G, 90A). The blueliner was named to the AHL's All-Rookie Team in 2014-15 and was named Rockford's Best Defenseman during the 2015-16 campaign after setting career highs in goals (10), assists (35) and points (45). He won a silver medal with Finland at the 2016 IIHF World Championship and represented his country at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. He was acquired by the Blackhawks in a trade with the New York Islanders on Oct. 4, 2014. He was originally selected by the Islanders in the second round (34th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.
Franson, 30, has one goal and six assists in 19 games played this season with the Blackhawks where he signed a one-year contract on October 4. A native of Sicamous, British Columbia, Franson notched three goals and 16 assists in 68 games with the Buffalo Sabres last year. The veteran blueliner has recorded 212 points (43G, 169A) in 546 games over the course of his National Hockey League career spanning nine seasons with the Nashville Predators (2009-11, 2015), Toronto Maple Leafs (2011-2015) and Buffalo (2015-17).
The Blackhawks travel to Winnipeg to play the Jets tomorrow at 7 p.m. (CT). That game can be seen on NBC Sports Chicago Plus, streamed live online at NBCSportsChicago.com (NBCSportsChicago.com/BlackhawksStream) and the NBC Sports app, and heard on WGN Radio.
