NHL, AHL scouts frequent IceHogs
Published on November 4, 2004 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill.- One of the first items on Rockford IceHogs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Steve Martinson's checklist when he was hired by Rockford in June, was to establish the IceHogs as a team that was known for loaning players to the American Hockey League. Just seven games into the IceHogs 2004-05 United Hockey League schedule, four team officials already have visited Rockford from both National Hockey League and AHL teams.
Wednesday night's game against the Quad City Mallards was attended by the Nashville Predators (NHL) Assistant General Manager Ray Shero and Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) Head Coach Claude Noel. Milwaukee is Nashville's AHL affiliate. Chicago Wolves (AHL) General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff also attended Wednesday's game at the MetroCentre.
"It's a tribute to our players that these guys take the time out of their 80 game schedule to come down and watch them play," said Martinson. "It's a compliment that their play warranted the attention of these guys. Even though it was an ugly game they had a lot of positive comments about several of our players."
The IceHogs have had a relationship with the Admirals in the past and the relationship has been strengthened by the attendance of Shero and Noel. This season Rockford had three skaters; forwards, J.C. Ruid and J.F. Dufour along with goaltender Michel Robinson, skate in Milwaukee ¬â¢s training camp. IceHogs defenseman Nathan Lutz was a member of Noel's Calder Cup Champion Admiral's squad last season as well.
Atlanta Thrashers (NHL) scout Mark Dobson also has been in attendance in Rockford this season. The Wolves are the Thrashers direct AHL affiliate and Rockford's rookie defenseman Steve Pelletier attended Chicago camp earlier this season. The IceHogs have also worked with the Wolves organization in past seasons.
With these scouts, and AHL and NHL management members in attendance, it has reinforced the Rockford mission to become an organization that players get noticed and get an opportunity to advance their careers to the next level.
Next Game: Saturday, November 6 at Missouri River Otters. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. Rockford hits the road for the first of four straight road games when they visit the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri. The IceHogs and River Otters have already hooked up once this season and Rockford will try to avenge one of their two losses of the season.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 4, 2004
- Meet Ruid and Harvey at American - Rockford IceHogs
- Mallards Add Physical Presence to Blueline - Quad City Mallards
- NHL, AHL scouts frequent IceHogs - Rockford IceHogs
- 'Dogs neutral site games moved to Roanoke - 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.
