IceHogs Ready for Preseason Debut
October 2, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill. - For the first time since mid-April, the ice at the BMO Harris Bank Center will feature professional hockey. The Rockford IceHogs, proud American Hockey League Affiliates of the Chicago Blackhawks, open their two-game preseason schedule tonight as they host the Chicago Wolves at 7 p.m.
While the exhibition game will not be broadcasted, admission is free for the public, courtesy of the Rockford Register Star. Doors open for season ticket holders at 5:30 p.m. and for general admission at 6 p.m. Fans unable to attend can follow the action on the IceHogs' Twitter account (@goicehogs) and Facebook page (/RockfordIceHogs), as well as on IceHogs.com.
A pair of preseason contests highlights a two-week training camp for the IceHogs, which began Sunday. Rockford will travel to Milwaukee on Friday for a 7 p.m. matchup with the Admirals at the Kern Center, followed by one last week of practices and intra-squad scrimmages leading up to opening night on Oct. 11 at the BMO Harris Bank Center.
The IceHogs will be looking to improve on a respectable 34-31-5-4 record in 2013-14, and are hungry to earn their first playoff berth since 2010. In order to do so they are bringing back a talented group with a good mix of youth and professional experience. Thursday's lineup boasts 12 different players who have donned a Rockford uniform in the past, including defenseman Adam Clendening and centers Drew LeBlanc and Alex Broadhurst, who appeared in a combined 225 games last season.
With a core group of veteran players in place, the IceHogs will be looking for a shot in the arm from an influx of new talent and young up-and-comers. Swedish center Dennis Rasmussen is set to make his AHL preseason debut, and will complement budding forwards Mark McNeill and Joakim Nordstrom, both embarking on their second full seasons in Rockford.
The IceHogs' goaltending also saw an offseason upgrade, as 25-year-old Scott Darling entered the fold after signing a one-year contract with the Blackhawks in July. In 26 games with Milwaukee (AHL) last year, Darling posted a 13-6-2 record with six shutouts.
Thursday's matchup will be a teaser of another long season series with the Wolves, as the IceHogs will battle their cross-state rivals 12 times in 2014-15 as they battle for the Illinois Lottery Cup. The Wolves were Midwest Division champs a year prior, winning the season series with Rockford 7-4-0-1 en route to falling to the Toronto Marlies in the Western Conference Semifinals four games to none.
Next Home Game: The IceHogs open the 2014-15 season on Saturday, Oct. 11 against the Milwaukee Admirals. The puck drops at 7 p.m., and the first 5,000 fans will receive an IceHogs calendar courtesy of Stateline Staffing Services. For tickets visit IceHogs.com or call (815) 968-5222.
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American Hockey League Stories from October 2, 2014
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