Rockford IceHogs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rockford IceHogs |
|
|---|---|
| City | Rockford, Illinois |
| League | American Hockey League |
| Conference | Western |
| Division | Central |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Operated | 2007–present |
| Home arena | BMO Center |
| Colors | Red, black, white |
| Owner(s) | Wirtz Corporation |
| General manager | Mark Bernard (de facto) |
| Head coach | Anders Sorensen |
| Captain | Brett Seney |
| Media | WIFR 19.2 (Antenna TV) SportsFan 1330 AHL.TV (Internet) |
| Affiliates | Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) Indy Fuel (ECHL) |
| Website | IceHogs.com |
| Franchise history | |
| 1995–1997 | Baltimore Bandits |
| 1997–2005 | Cincinnati Mighty Ducks |
| 2007–present | Rockford IceHogs |
The Rockford IceHogs are a professional ice hockey team. They are based in Rockford, Illinois. The team plays in the American Hockey League (AHL). They started playing in the AHL during the 2007–08 season.
The IceHogs play their home games at the BMO Center. They are the top minor league team for the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Chicago Blackhawks. This means they help develop players for the Blackhawks.
Contents
Team History: How the IceHogs Started
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The Rockford IceHogs team you see today began in 1995. Back then, they were called the Baltimore Bandits. In 1997, the team moved to Cincinnati. There, they became known as the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks.
The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks stopped playing for the 2005–06 season. This happened because they no longer had an NHL team to work with. Their old partners, the Detroit Red Wings and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, found new teams.
Later, the team was renamed the Cincinnati RailRaiders. But they could not sell enough season tickets to play in the AHL again. On March 19, 2007, the AHL announced a big change. The team was bought and moved to Rockford. This is how they became the Rockford IceHogs we know today.
On April 7, 2021, the Chicago Blackhawks officially bought the IceHogs. The Blackhawks also announced a plan to spend $23 million. This money will be used to update and improve the BMO Harris Bank Center. These changes will keep the IceHogs playing in Rockford until at least 2036.
Team Names Over Time
The team has had a few different names:
- Baltimore Bandits (1995–1997)
- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (1997–2005)
Before the current IceHogs, another team played in Rockford:
- Rockford IceHogs (1999–2007) in the UHL
Who Leads the Team: Team Captains
- Jim Fahey, 2007–2008
- Tim Brent, 2008–2009
- Jake Dowell, 2009–2010
- Garnet Exelby, 2010–2011
- Brandon Segal and Brian Fahey, 2011–2012
- Martin St. Pierre, 2012–2013
- Jared Nightingale, 2013–2014
- Joakim Nordstrom, 2014–2015
- Brandon Mashinter, 2015–2016
- Jake Dowell, 2016–2017
- Kris Versteeg, 2019
- Tyler Sikura, 2019–2020
- Garrett Mitchell, 2021–2023
- Brett Seney, 2024–present
Famous Players: Notable Alumni
Many players who played for the IceHogs later went on to play in the NHL. Here are some of them:
- Bryan Bickell, 2007–2010, 2016
- Dave Bolland, 2007–2008
- Brandon Bollig, 2010–2013
- Troy Brouwer, 2007–2009
- Corey Crawford, 2007–2010
- Phillip Danault, 2011–2016
- Scott Darling, 2014–2015
- Niklas Hjalmarsson, 2007–2009
- Carter Hutton, 2011–2013
- Marcus Kruger, 2012–2013
- Nick Leddy, 2010–2011, 2012–2013
- Jeremy Morin, 2010–2014
- Antti Niemi, 2008–2009
- Brandon Pirri, 2010–2014
- Brandon Saad, 2012–2013
- Andrew Shaw, 2011–2013
- Jack Skille, 2008–2010
- Ben Smith, 2009–2013
- Trevor van Riemsdyk, 2014–2015
- Kris Versteeg, 2007–2008, 2019
