IceHogs announce affiliation with Nashville Predators
Published on December 13, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs, members of the United Hockey League, announced that the club has joined the Nashville Predators organization as an affiliate. IceHogs General Manager Ryan Washatka and Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Steve Martinson, in conjunction with the Nashville Predators (NHL) Assistant General Manager Ray Shero, made the announcement Tuesday.
The affiliation agreement is effective immediately. The IceHogs, who play in the Double A level UHL, have loaned numerous players to the Predators direct American Hockey League affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals during the past three seasons.
"From a recruiting standpoint, having this avenue of upward mobility for our players is invaluable," said Martinson. "Loaning players is the cornerstone of our recruiting program here in Rockford, and we have established an excellent relationship with Nashville and Milwaukee."
Currently, IceHogs defenseman Nathan Lutz goaltender Michel Robinson and winger Jason Notermann are on call-up with the Admirals. Rockford has loaned seven total players to the Admirals this season, including Evgueni Nourislamov, Chaz Johnson, Preston Mizzi and Matt Gens. Since Martinson took over prior to the 2004-05 season, the IceHogs have loaned 17 total free agent skaters to the AHL, the most of any team at the AA level. Of the 17 players, 14 of them went to Milwaukee.
IceHogs alumni on the Milwaukee roster include winger Brandon Segal, who led the Hogs in goals during last season's playoff run, and defenseman Kevin Klein, who made his NHL debut on Saturday, Dec. 3 with Nashville. Both skaters were assigned to Rockford last season from the Ads.
"The number of (Rockford) players that the Milwaukee Admirals have used over the past few years is a reflection of both Steve and the organization's commitment to providing a positive environment that breeds success," said Milwaukee Head Coach Claude Noel. "This affiliation agreement is vital to our continued success."
The Predators are currently in second place in the NHL's Western Conference, Central Division, with a record of 18-6-3 (37pts). Nashville's bench boss Barry Trotz is currently the second most tenured coach in the NHL and is the only coach in Nashville's six-season history.
Milwaukee is guided by Noel, who led the club to their first ever Calder Cup Championship during the 2003-04 season. Lutz and former IceHogs winger Raitis Ivanans were a part of the Admirals championship squad. This season marks Noel's third with the Admirals who are currently in second place (16-6-1-1, 28pts) in the AHL's West Division.
Martinson was a teammate of Noel's while skating for the Toledo Goaldiggers (IHL) during the 1982-83 season and of Todd Richards, the Admirals Assistant Head Coach, with the Sherbrooke Canadians (AHL) during the 1989-90 campaign.
For more information about the IceHogs affiliation with the Predators organization, contact the IceHogs Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations Mike Peck at (815) 986-6465.
Next Home Games: Friday, Dec. 16 vs. Missouri River Otters. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Hogs open another two game weekend with the return of the Missouri River Otters and Jim Duhart to the MetroCentre. The first 1,000 fans to the game will receive IceHogs Poster #3 in a series of 7 from Medicine Man, Johnson Press, Pepsi and the Rockford Register Star.
Saturday, Dec. 17 vs. Richmond RiverDogs. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs and RiverDogs meet for the second time ever on Saturday. The first 1,000 fans to pass through the turnstiles will receive an IceHogs Knit Hat from Lonnie's Carpet Max and WTVO-TV Channel 17.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from December 13, 2005
- Tis The Season for Giving - Kalamazoo Wings
- Jackals Start A Two-Game Win-Column Workout - Elmira Jackals
- IceHogs announce affiliation with Nashville Predators - Rockford IceHogs
- Ring in the New Year with the Adirondack Frostbite - Adirondack Frostbite
- Komets make more player moves - Fort Wayne Komets
- Vipers Acquire Vanderbreggen and Wiggins from Komets - Roanoke Valley Vipers
- RiverDogs Week in Review - Richmond RiverDogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
