Black Hawks Add Veteran Defenseman

For the second time in four years, the Waterloo Black Hawks have acquired a former Green Bay Gamblers defenseman at the outset of a new hockey season.

Novi, Michigan, native Alex Robert has been added to the Black Hawks roster in exchange for a 2015 USHL Draft Pick, the team announced. The swap comes almost exactly four years after Waterloo snagged Mitch Witek from Green Bay in 2011.

“We’re excited to welcome Alex to the Black Hawks as we get ready for a new season,” Black Hawks Head Coach and General Manager P.K. O’Handley.

The 19-year-old Robert’s numbers from his rookie season in Green Bay are eerily similar to Witek’s 2010/11 stats with the Gamblers. Robert played in 38 regular season games with three assists. He ranked fifth on the squad in plus/minus at +3. Robert also skated in four Clark Cup playoff contests. By comparison, Witek had played in 35 games the year before coming to Waterloo, notching one assist with a +6 differential.

The Black Hawks will finalize the 2014/15 roster by Monday evening. The complete list is anticipated to be available Tuesday morning.

Robert could be in the lineup when the Black Hawks open the United States Hockey League regular season on Friday versus the Fargo Force at 7:05 p.m. The season-opening game is a college night with $8 tickets for students with ID on game night or $7 when purchased in advance.

Prior to the game, the Hawks will commemorate the franchise’s 2013/14 Anderson Cup championship with a pregame banner ceremony. For tickets, visit waterlooblackhawks.com or call the Domino’s Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680.