Akim Aliu

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size =
team = Chicago Blackhawks
former_teams =
prospect_team = London Knights
prospect_league = OHL
league = NHL
position = Right Wing
shoots = Right
height_ft = 6
height_in = 2.5
weight_lb = 219
nickname =
nationality = Canada
birth_date = Birth date and age|1989|4|24|mf=y
birth_place = Okene, NGA
draft = 56th overall
draft_year = 2007
draft_team = Chicago Blackhawks
career_start = 2008

Akim Aliu (born April 24, 1989 in Okene, Nigeria) is an professional ice hockey player who is now playing for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. He was drafted 56th overall during the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. During the 2006-2007 season, he helped the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL reach the league championship final. Sudbury lost the series to the Plymouth Whalers.

Aliu was born in Okene, Nigeria. Shortly after being born, his family moved to Kiev, Ukraine. Akim's family came to Canada when he was 12, and they lived in Toronto in the Dundas and Dufferin area. Aliu still speaks Russian with his family and is fluent.Cite web|url=http://ottsun.canoe.ca/Sports/Hockey/2007/06/20/4274636-sun.html|title=Out of Africa and into the NHL|accessdate=2007-06-23|publisher=Ottawa Sun|year=2007|author=Koshan, Terry]

On Friday June 1 2007 Aliu was traded to the London Knights in exchange for London's 2nd Round Pick in 2008 and a 3rd Round Pick in 2009. [ [http://londonknights.com/press/display_news.asp?news=866 London Knight's News ] ]

Aliu has played two games in the American Hockey League for the Rockford IceHogs.

On August 25 2008, Aliu signed a contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.

References