Chicago Blackhawks: A Closer Look at Tim Erixon

Oct 9, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman

Tim Erixon

(20) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Suffice it to say it’s been quite an event-filled holiday season for our beloved Chicago Blackhawks. Between the Circus Trip, an eight game winning streak, injuries to Patrick Sharp and Corey Crawford, and the NHL debuts of Scott Darling, Adam Clendening, and Klas Dahlbeck, it’s no wonder Hawks fans were somewhat benumbed to the trade of Jeremy Morin for Tim Erixon.

Frankly, I’m surprised there wasn’t more of a transaction reaction in Hawks Nation, considering how much of a fan favorite Jeremy Morin was in Chicago as many (myself included) pegged this year to be his break out season. Yet, in the end Morin just couldn’t break through as a little fish in a big pond, and he opted to take his talents elsewhere rather than continue to try to penetrate the insanely deep lineup of the Blackhawks. Can’t say I blame him, so best of luck Jeremy!

Anyway, it came as no surprise the Hawks picked up a defenseman for Morin considering how replete their offensive ranks are and the fragility of their third defensive string.

The twist here is that instead of sending this new acquisition straight to the Rockford Icehogs like the Blackhawks brass have done with the likes Kyle Cumiskey, David Rundblad, et al., this newest addition to the tribe has made two straight starts at the Madhouse on Madison upon his arrival.

Such a nod from the Hawks’ coaching staff deserves a gesture in kind from this esteemed site. Apropos, who exactly is this Tim Erixon?

For starters, he’s got the bio of a NHL super villain (the name says it all): born in Port Chester, New York, but hockey-educated since the tender age of 14 in Skellefta, Sweden; a country as notoriously known from churning out high-caliber defensemen as Finland is for goalies.

As far as the NHL goes however, the 23 year old Erixon hasn’t really made much of a dent as of yet, amassing a mere 51 games since 2011, first with the New York Rangers, and then with the Columbus Blue Jackets, with little to no stats to write home about.

However, it’s Erixon’s play in the AHL that should raise a few eyebrows. During his stints with first the Hartford Wolfpack, and then the Springfield Falcons, Erixon tallied 87 assists in 132 games over three seasons.

As you know, I’m not the biggest fan of solely relying on statistics to draw conclusions, but we’ve got little choice when it comes Erixon’s fledgling NHL career. That being said, it should be understood that to notch an assist in hockey, you’ve got to have great offensive vision, and with that in mind, it appears Erixon’s is 20/20.