Chicago Blackhawks: Who Are the Four 2011 Playoff Call-Ups?

The Chicago Blackhawks bolstered their playoff roster yesterday, calling up four members of their AHL affiliate in Rockford to provide some practice skaters as well as injury insurance.

Last year, eight Ice Hogs were called up at the end of April when they were eliminated from their playoffs.  Why are these players up so early?  Rockford didn't qualify for the playoffs this year.

They did, however, win 10 of their last 11 games and 15 of their last 18.  Unlike last year's group of call-ups, which included Jack Skille and Jake Dowell, this foursome is long on NHL experience.

If the team stays healthy, it's unlikely you will see much of these players.  Just in case coach Joel Quenneville suits one of these guys up for a night, here's a little information on the names that go above those unfamiliar numbers.

#23: Jeff Taffe

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 12: Jeff Taffe #23 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on February 12, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Blackhawks 3-2 in an overtime shootout. (Photo

Taffe appeared in the February 12th game in Phoenix, skating four minutes in the Blackhawks' 3-2 shootout defeat.

Taffe, 30, has played in 175 games for the Coyotes, Rangers, Penguins and Panthers.  He had 12 points in 45 games with Pittsburgh in 2007-08 and saw action in eight games in their Stanley Cup winning season in 2008-09.

Taffe was obtained from Florida for Marty Reasoner this summer and was Rockford's MVP this season, scoring 30 goals on the way to a team-high 67 points.  The Hastings, Minnesota native spent time at center and wing this season.

Never a big scorer in his time in the NHL, Taffe nonetheless provides a physical offensive option on the fourth line.

#5: Jassen Cullimore

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SAN JOSE, CA - NOVEMBER 24: Jassen Cullimore #5 of the Chicago Blackhawks in action against the San Jose Sharks at HP Pavilion on November 24, 2010 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Cullimore is a veteran of sixteen NHL seasons and helped Tampa Bay win the Stanley Cup in 2004.  The 38-old defenseman was called up early in the season and logged 36 games with Chicago, contributing eight assists.  After Nick Leddy was called up, Cullimore played 41 games in Rockford, scoring nine points.

Cullimore is here for what looks like one more day in the sun on the 'Hawks bench.  However, he gave a blue-collar effort filling in when Brian Campbell was injured and provides some playoff experience for the locker room.

Cullimore is going to be the seventh defenseman and won't see much time, if any.

#24: Garnet Exelby

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NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 29: Garnet Exelby #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 29, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

No, that's not Nick Boynton in that sweater.

Exelby spent six seasons with Atlanta before moving on to Toronto last season.  The 29-year old has 584 penalty minutes in 408 NHL contests.  He's an aggressive, hard hitting defenseman who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty.

Exelby signed a 30-day tryout with Rockford after being released by the Rangers in training camp last fall.  He wound up spending the year as captain of the Ice Hogs, signing a contract with the 'Hawks in November.  He had 13 points and 128 penalty minutes in Rockford.

Just another practice body, Exelby knows the NHL game and can be relied upon to throw his 6'1", 215 pound frame at opponents if he ever sees the ice.

#33-Hannu Toivonen

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 01: Hannu Toivonen #33 of the Chicago Blackhawks warms-up before a pre-season game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center on October 1, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Penguins 5-2. (Photo by Jonatha

Finnish net minder, 26 years old...no, not that guy.

Toivonen serves as an emergency back-up goalie, a role he played in last season's playoff run.

A former first round pick of the Bruins, he played in 20 games for Boston in the 2005-06 season, going 9-5-4 (2.63 GAA, .914 save %), but injuries and inconsistency have marked his career since then. Toivonen spent a couple of seasons in the Blues organization before coming to the 'Hawks.  He has a 3.37 GAA and .890 save percentage in 61 career NHL games.

The Blackhawks dressed Toivonen on December 26 to back up Marty Turco when Corey Crawford was ill.

In 49 games with Rockford, he compiled a 2.90 GAA and a .907 save percentage while going 21-16-4.  If you see Toivonen in goal in a playoff game, that game has been lost long before.

Where Are the Kids?

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DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 24: Kyle Beach #12 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates against the Detroit Red Wings during a pre season game on September 24, 2010 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Blackhawks chose not to bring any of their prospects aboard, opting for experience.

Young call-ups from last year like Kyle Beach (pictured), Shawn Lalonde and Brian Connelly were left off the roster.

Players like Rob Klinkhammer, Brandon Pirri, and Evan Brophy, who appeared in a game each for the 'Hawks this season, also didn't make the cut.

What happened to Jeremy Morin, who played so well in his nine-game stint with the team?  Morin is still recovering from a concussion suffered in Rockford back in January.  He played just 22 games with Rockford this season.

So it's experience that Chicago added to it's roster for what is hopefully a lengthy playoff run.  Now you know who "that guy" is if one of the call-ups winds up on the ice.