Ben Smith had a goal and an assist to lead the Rockford IceHogs to a 3-1 win over San Antonio Sunday. Smith's season ended last season with a hernia and a cartilage tear in his hip so the extra time he is getting in the minors is certainly helping his chances of cracking the Chicago lineup when NHL action returns. Jeremy Morin chipped in with a pair of assists in the win.

Ben Smith (hip) is expected to be fine by the time training camp opens A hernia and a cartilage tear in his hip cost him the end of the regular season, but he is on the mend. "He probably has another few weeks before he would be ready to start a training camp but by September he's going to be certainly 100 percent," GM Stan Bowman said. The Blackhawks signed Smith to a two-year contract extension on Monday.

Ben Smith has agreed to a two-year contract extension. Smith had two goals in 13 games with the Blackhawks last season. His season was cut short because he required surgery to fix a right hip labral tear and hernia.

Ben Smith will undergo season-ending surgery on Thursday to fix a right hip labral tear and hernia. Smith will need 16 weeks to recover so his season is over. He only played 13 games for Chicago scoring a couple of goals and had 15 goals and 31 points in 37 games for Rockford of the AHL before the injury. He should be fine for the start of training camp in September.

Ben Smith was called up from the minors on Saturday January 28.

Ben Smith has been returned to AHL Rockford. He has recorded two goals in 13 games with the Blackhawks this season and will get into some additional action during the NHL's All=Star break.

The Blackhawks recalled forward Ben Smith from Rockford of the AHL. Smith has made the in-state trip from Rockford to Chicago a couple of times this season. This time around there was a vacancy on the roster with Dan Carcillo's season short-circuited due to a knee injury. Smith has played nine games with the big club with two goals accounting both of his points.

Ben Smith has been sent to the minors. Smith has two goals in nine games with Chicago. He'll return to AHL Rockford, where he's been playing a much bigger offensive role. Smith has eight goals and 18 points in 19 AHL contests in 2011-12.

Ben Smith has been called up by the Chicago Blackhawks. Smith has 10 goals and 18 points in 19 games this season. With Patrick Sharp expected to be out for three-to-four weeks, Smith could be with Chicago for the rest of January.

The Blackhawks have assigned Ben Smith to Rockford of the AHL. He was recalled due to Daniel Carcillo's upper-body injury but John Scott is going to get a chance to fill in for now so Smith was no longer needed.