IHL 2 Rockford IceHogs

'Hogs and MDA are rockin' the 80's

Published on March 15, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


Rockford, Ill.-Rockford IceHogs and the Muscular Dystrophy Association Chapter in the Rock River Valley unveiled the 2004-05 IceHogs Sixth Annual Jerseys Off Their Backs jersey at a press conference on Tuesday at LaMonica Beverages.

This year's theme for the popular jersey is Rockin' The 80's. The specially designed jersey will feature the IceHogs mascot Hammy sporting the popular 80's mullet hairstyle. The jersey was designed by Medicine Man, Inc. and will be worn during the IceHogs game on Friday, April 8 at 7:05 p.m. against the Kalamazoo Wings at the Rockford MetroCentre. The night will be a celebration of the 80's with music from the decade as well as other promotions based on the time frame.

"The IceHogs are excited to partner with the MDA of Rockford for a sixth straight season," said IceHogs General Manager Ryan Washatka. "The generosity of our fans has been overwhelming throughout the first five auctions raising over $250,000 for MDA. We can only hope to build onto that number this season.

"We have had a great relationship with MDA and have seen many positive things first hand that they are able to do locally with the money that the auction generates."

Following the game against the Wings, fans will have an opportunity to bid on the special, commemorative jerseys. The Hogs will also hold a silent auction during the game and an on-line auction on the team's web-site, icehogs.com for the jerseys. All proceeds from the auction go to the MDA Chapter in the Rock River Valley.

The auction mark's the sixth consecutive season in which the IceHogs have teamed up with the MDA for the annual jersey auction. Last season, generous IceHogs fans helped raise nearly $50,000 for the local MDA Chapter. The first five actions have raised over $250,000.

The first 1,000 fans to the game will also receive a T-shirt featuring the MDA Jersey logo, courtesy of Axberg Heating Company, 13WREX and Q98.5FM. Tickets for the April 8 MDA Jersey Off Their Backs Jersey Auction can be purchased at the MetroCentre Box Office or by calling (815) 968-5222. Groups of 20 or more can contact the IceHogs office at (815) 986-6465 for a discounted group rate.

LABELLE RECALLED TO THE AHLTough winger headed to Utah

IceHogs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Steve Martinson announced Tuesday that winger Eric Labelle has been loaned to the Utah Grizzlies of the American Hockey League. For Labelle, it's his second promotion of the season, as he was loaned to the Milwaukee Admirals in February.

Labelle currently leads the UHL in penalty minutes with 386, and fighting majors with 30, both IceHogs franchise records. Labelle also has 10g-7a-17pts and a plus/minus rating of +5. The winger is the third player on the IceHogs roster currently on call-up, joining goaltender Michel Robinson, currently with Milwaukee and defenseman Tim Wedderburn with the Chicago Wolves.

Utah becomes the fourth AHL team to request the services of an IceHogs skater this season and Labelle is one of eight Hogs skaters to be loaned to the AHL during this campaign. Milwaukee has called-up defenseman Nathan Lutz and Ryan Bonni, forwards, Terry Harrison, Olivier Proulx and Jason Ralph and Robinson, who's on his third call-up with the Ads.

The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks have called-up Ralph and the Hogs have loaned Lutz and Wedderburn to Chicago. The eight players have been loaned a combined 14 times this season for Rockford. Milwaukee has also now assigned a total of three players during the 2004-05 season to Rockford including Goaltender Seamus Kotyk and winger Brandon Segal who are currently on the Hogs roster. Earlier in the season, the Admirals assigned defenseman Kevin Klein to Rockford for three games.

Next Home Stand: Friday, March 18 vs. Richmond RiverDogs. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The first ever meeting between Rockford and Richmond! Friday is the IceHogs annual airplane toss brought to you by Wheels By RT, TMA Airlines,.Y-95FM and 23WIFR. All fans will have a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas and five lucky fans will have a chance to win a Corvette from Wheels By RT.

Saturday, March 19 vs. Port Huron Beacons. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Beacons return to Rockford to take on the Hogs. Saturday marks one of the IceHogs most popular promotions; Kids Jersey Night! The first 1,000 kids 12-and under to the big orange box will receive a replica IceHogs jersey from Fat Wallet.Com, WXRX, 104.9 FM and FOX 39.

Check out the Rockford IceHogs Statistics



International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 15, 2005


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