--The Hawks signed Finnish goaltender Antti Niemi. He had a 26-6-14 record, 2.35 goals-against average and .927 save percentage for the Pelicans of the SM-Liga, the Finnish Elite League. Niemi, 24, spent six seasons before that with Kiekko-Vantaa of the Finnish junior league.

--Hawks' president John McDonough was named Chicago Executive-of-the-Year by the Chicago chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. The award recognizes an individual outside of the public relations profession who uses PR effectively to further his organization's goals.

--The Harris Club has been added as an offering to ticket-holders at the United Center. It'll be in operation at the West end of the United Center for 45 Blackhawks' games as well as 45 for basketball's Chicago Bulls. The Harris Club will offer buffet dining, a parking pass for every two seats purchased, three bars within the club and a lounge atmosphere. Cost is $15,750 per person.

--The Hawks' top minor-league affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, is in the West Division championship series in the American Hockey League playoffs. The IceHogs are easy to scout in this one: they're playing the Chicago Wolves.

--General manager Dale Tallon put Dustin Byfuglien, Dave Bolland and Jordan Hendry on the Rockford roster when the NHL season in an effort to get them playoff experience. Byfuglien has a sore back, which led to him being dropped from the U.S. squad for the World Championships. Bolland has been nursing a sprained ankle and was scoreless in seven playoff games with the minor leaguers before being a scratch for the next two and Hendry hasn't played in the postseason after suffering a scary facial injury in Rockford's last regular season game.

--The Hawks put their 2008-09 tickets on sale on May 13. Season-ticket prices are up 16 percent with the top ticket priced at $5,625. The cheapest single-game ticket last year was $10. Now it's $15. The top single-game ticket last year was $275. Now it's $285.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"This (moving the games on radio to WGN) is a big step forward in the new direction of this franchise. WGN Radio is one of the most powerful and prestigious stations in the country and will play an integral role in delivering our great product to as wide an audience as possible." -- John McDonough, Hawks' president.

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