Blackhawks place Cody Franson on IR with upper-body injury

Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Cody Franson, right, controls the puck during a pre-season game. (Paul Vernon/AP)

CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks have placed defenceman Cody Franson on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.

Franson has missed Chicago’s last two games. The Blackhawks also lost defenceman Jan Rutta to an upper-body injury in the second period of Tuesday night’s 3-2 overtime win against Florida.

Defenceman Ville Pokka was promoted from Rockford of the American Hockey League on Wednesday. The 23-year-old Pokka had three goals and nine assists in 26 games with the IceHogs.

Chicago has won three in a row heading into Thursday night’s game at Winnipeg.

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