Tue Jul 1 19:27:01 2008

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Blackhawks soar on free agency's first day; ink Campbell, Huet

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Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - The Chicago Blackhawks captured headlines on the first day of free agency, signing top defenseman Brian Campbell to an eight-year contract and also tying up the services of talented netminder Cristobal Huet.

Campbell was one of the top free agents on the market, and he didn't last long, choosing the Windy City after an eight-goal, 54-assist campaign with Buffalo and San Jose last season.

The 29-year-old defenseman will anchor a Blackhawks unit which was torched for 235 goals last season. Chicago finished with a 40-34-8 mark, which landed it in 10th position in the Western Conference.

The Strathroy, Ontario, native was a sixth-round selection in the 1997 entry draft by the Buffalo Sabres. In 411 games, Campbell has 35 goals and 195 points through nine seasons with Buffalo and San Jose.

Huet will also bolster the defense after going 32-14-6 with Montreal and Washington last season. He notched four shutouts and recorded a 2.32 goals against average while concluding the regular season with a nine-game winning streak.

The 32-year-old Frenchman was a seventh-round choice of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2001, posting an 83-61-13 mark with 11 ties and a 2.43 GAA in 183 career games with Los Angeles, Montreal and Washington.