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NHL lockout: Blackhawks' Niklas Hjalmarsson heads to Italy

Blackhawks D Niklas Hjalmarsson is the sixth member of the team to head overseas while the NHL lockout is in progress.

By Bryan Kilpatrick
Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman NIklas Hjalmarsson has signed with Italy's Bolanzo-Bozen Foxes, according to CSN Chicago's Nina Falcone. Hjalmarsson is the sixth Blackhawks player to head overseas as the NHL lockout continues, joining teammates Patrick Kane, Viktor Stalberg, Bryan Bickell, Michal Rozsival and Michael Frolik.

Hjalmarsson will arrive in Italy on Friday, thanks to "strong financial support from private sponsors," according to Bolanzo-Bozen's official website. His arrival comes just two weeks prior to the start of the Continental Cup, which pits the champions from several different European countries, not counting the "Super Six," against each other in a tournament.

In five seasons in Chicago, Hjalmarsson has accumulated 46 points in 260 games, while maintaining a plus/minus of 33.

While players continue to head across the pond for live game action, the NHL remains in the process of trying to salvage at least some of the season. The league participated in a seven-hour meeting with the NHLPA on Wednesday, with more talks taking place on Thursday.