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 | Jared Nightingale |
| Captain | Brett Seney |
| Media | WIFR 19.2 (Antenna TV) SportsFan 1330< AHL.TV (Internet) |
| Affiliate(s) | Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) Indy Fuel (ECHL) |
| Website | IceHogs.com |
| Franchise history | |
| 1995–1997 | Baltimore Bandits |
| 1997–2005 | Cincinnati Mighty Ducks |
| 2007–present | Rockford IceHogs |
 Current season |
|
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 players often move between the IceHogs and the Blackhawks.
Team History and Moves
.jpg)
The Rockford IceHogs team you see today started in 1995. It was first called the Baltimore Bandits. In 1997, the team moved to Cincinnati. There, it 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 a main NHL team to work with. Their old partners, the Detroit Red Wings and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, found new teams.
The team was later 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 that the team was bought. It then moved to Rockford and became the Rockford IceHogs we know today.
On April 7, 2021, the Chicago Blackhawks officially bought the IceHogs. The Blackhawks also announced a big plan. They would spend $23 million to update the BMO Harris Bank Center. This project will keep the IceHogs in Rockford until at least 2036.
Team Names Over Time
The team has had a few different names throughout its history:
- Baltimore Bandits (1995–1997)
- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (1997–2005) – This team worked with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Detroit Red Wings.
Before the current IceHogs, another team played in Rockford:
- Rockford IceHogs (1999–2007) – This team was part of the UHL.
Team Leaders: Captains
The team captain is a very important player. They help lead the team on and off the ice. Here are some of the players who have been captains for the IceHogs:
- 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 Former Players
Many players who played for the Rockford IceHogs later went on to play in the NHL. Some even became big stars! Here are a few notable players who used to be IceHogs:
- 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
