IceHogs to Induct J.F. Rivard into Ring of Honor During Saturday's Rematch vs. Iowa
December 16, 2023 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
ROCKFORD, Ill. - Saturday brings game two of three this weekend for the Rockford IceHogs as the prepare to battle the Iowa Wild for the second straight night at the BMO Center. During intermission, the IceHogs will induct former goaltender J.F. Rivard into the newly-created IceHogs Ring of Honor.
2023-24 Season Records
Rockford: 9-11-2-0, 20 points (T-5th, Central)
Iowa: 11-11-1-1, 24 points (3rd, Central)
Last Game vs. Iowa
The IceHogs fell last night to the Iowa Wild in a 2-1 struggle at the BMO Center. Special teams proved critical as the Wild scored twice on the power play in the first period, and the Hogs' lone goal also came on the man advantage. Drew Commesso looked sturdy in net for Rockford and made 21 saves on 23 Iowa shots. Brett Seney had the Hogs' only goal in the second period.
Hogs to Honor J.F. Rivard
Tonight, the IceHogs will induct former goaltender J.F. Rivard into the newly created IceHogs Hall of Fame. Rivard was the most prominent and successful IceHogs goaltender during the team's UHL era. The netminder played for Rockford in the first four years of the team's existence and recorded the first IceHogs win and shutout by a goaltender. Rivard was named Team MVP twice in the 1999-00 and 2000-01 seasons, and holds the club's all-time franchise (AHL or UHL) records in games played (166), minutes (9,557), saves (5,109), and shootout wins (20). His 69 career IceHogs victories make him the second all-time winningest goaltender in franchise history, and he currently holds the franchise record for the most saves in a game (60).
Katchouk Makes IceHogs Debut
Boris Katchouk cleared waivers and was assigned to Rockford from the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. This is Katchouk's first time in the AHL since the 2021-22 season when he played three games with the Syracuse Crunch. This season, the forward has four points (2G, 2A) in 17 games for the Blackhawks. Katchouk was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and spent the first three-and-a-half seasons of his pro career with either the Lightning or the Crunch before reaching the Blackhawks with Taylor Raddysh in the trade that sent Brandon Hagel to Tampa Bay. The winger played in his first IceHogs game last night.
Cates Inserted into Lineup
On Monday, the IceHogs added forward Jackson Cates on a Professional Tryout agreement. Cates has posted one goal in 12 games with the Bridgeport Islanders this season after signing a PRO with the NHL's New York Islanders. Last season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Cates racked up 23 points (11G, 12A) in 65 contests. The center has 20 games worth of NHL experience under his belt, all with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2020 to 2022. Cates won an NCAA national championship with the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2018-19. Cates made his IceHogs debut last night against Iowa.
Strand Joins Hogs after Trade
Also on Monday, Rockford traded forward Zach Jordan to the Chicago Wolves in exchange for defenseman Austin Strand. Strand posted four points (1G, 3A) in 10 games with the Wolves this season. The blueliner spent time with two AHL teams last season and had eight points (2G, 6A) in 46 games with the San Diego Gulls and one assist in nine games with the Rochester Americans. Strand has skated in 26 NHL games between the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks. Strand also made his IceHogs debut against Iowa last night.
Power Play Gets on the Board
Last night, the IceHogs converted their first power-play opportunity in their last 23 chances. Rockford's power play leapt out of the gate to start the season and posted a 37.9% conversion rate through the first nine games of the season (11-for-29). In the last 13 contests, the IceHogs are operating at an 8.3% clip (5-for-60). In the last eight games since Joey Anderson (nine power-play points) was called up to the Blackhawks, Rockford is just 2-for-32 on the power play. Thanks to the Hogs' outstanding start, Rockford still ranks 18th in the league with a season percentage of 18.0%.
Hog Talk - The Official IceHogs Podcast
Check out the latest stories and interviews on Hog Talk, the official podcast of the Rockford IceHogs. Watch on YouTube, or listen in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Listen on Apple - Listen on Spotify - Watch on YouTube
Tune In LIVE on the IceHogs Broadcast Network Presented by BMO
Watch and listen to every game this season on the IceHogs Broadcast Network presented by BMO! Listen from your favorite device, at home, or on the road at IceHogs.com and on the IceHogs app and watch LIVE on AHLTV and selected games in High Definition on 19.2 Circle TV! Fans can also tune in on all of Mid-West Family's local stations including 104.9 The X, B103, 95.3 The Bull, and Rockford Greatest Hits 100.5 and featured on Rock River Current, the Stateline's premiere source for local events, news and culture.
2023-24 Head-to-Head Schedule (All Times Central)
Fri., Oct. 27 vs Iowa - W 6-2 - Recap, Highlights
Fri., Nov. 10 vs Iowa - L 2-4 - Recap, Highlights
Sat., Nov. 18 at Iowa - SOW 4-3 - Recap, Highlights
Sun., Nov. 19 at Iowa - W 3-1 - Recap, Highlights
Tue., Dec. 5 at Iowa - L 1-6 - Recap, Highlights
Fri., Dec. 15 vs Iowa - L 2-1 - Recap,Highlight
Sat., Dec. 16 vs Iowa, 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 20 vs Iowa, 7 p.m.
Mon., Feb. 19 at Iowa, 5 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 21 at Iowa, 7 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 24 vs Iowa, 7 p.m.
Tue., Apr. 9 at Iowa, 7 p.m.
IceHogs vs Wild, All-time
51-39-11-5
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