Holm was the leading defensive scorer for the Rockford IceHogs this season with four goals and 11 assists in 30 games.
Chicago Blackhawks minor-league defenseman Philip Holm was placed on unconditional waivers Sunday for mutual contract termination. Holm’s agent, Peter Wallen, said that because Holm has yet to be called up to the NHL that he would like to return to Europe.
The 28-year-old Swedish defenseman signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Blackhawks back in August after having an all-star season for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL. Holm had a strong training camp and preseason but got caught in the logjam of defenseman the Blackhawks had at the beginning of the year.
Holm was overdue for a call-up from the Hawks, especially considering all the injuries on the backend, and it’s understandable as to why he was frustrated over the situation. The front office appeared to favor Adam Boqvist, Dennis Gilbert, and even Ian McCoshen over him.
It was clear from watching Holm this preseason that he has an offensive upside to offer from the blueline. There were games where he looked like the Blackhawks’ most engaged defenseman. It may not have gone as expected for Holm in his second stint in North America, but he certainly has more hockey to play in Europe.
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