AHL Rockford IceHogs

Season Opener Tonight against Milwaukee

October 11, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


Rockford, Ill. - After a long offseason and an intense training camp, the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs, proud affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, will finally begin the 2014-15 season tonight when they host the Milwaukee Admirals at the BMO Harris Bank Center.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the first 5,000 fans through the doors will receive an IceHogs 2014-15 calendar courtesy of Stateline Staffing Services. Tickets can be purchased at the BMO Harris Bank Center box office and at all Ticketmaster locations, as well as at IceHogs.com or by calling (815) 968-5222. Fans can also watch the game live on 23.2 Antenna TV and online by visiting AHLLive.com.

The IceHogs will begin their quest for the Calder Cup with a rejuvenated roster that is balanced with professional experience and young potential. While Rockford dropped both their preseason games by identical 3-1 scores, they have since welcomed a slew of notable players from the Blackhawks training camp. Forwards Peter Regin, Ryan Hartman and top prospect Teuvo Teravainen, as well as defenseman Klas Dahlbeck, will each figure to be a factor in the IceHogs lineup after spending the preseason in Chicago.

Dahlbeck is just one piece of a Rockford blue line that saw an upgrade thanks to a recent move by the Blackhawks. On Oct. 4, Chicago traded defenseman Nick Leddy to the New York Islanders in exchange for young rearguards T.J. Brennan and Ville Pokka, who were both assigned to Rockford.

Brennan is a year removed from winning the Eddie Shore Award recognizing the AHL's best defenseman, and finished in first in defense scoring with 72 points (25g-47a) in 76 games for the Toronto Marlies. The 25-year-old was one of the 2013-14 First-Team AHL All-Star Team defensemen, while the IceHogs Adam Clendening was the other. The two look to join forces this season to make the IceHogs blue line a significant offensive threat.

Also found in the wake of the Leddy trade was a brand new look to the Rockford goal crease. With 2013-14 netminders Jason LaBarbera (signed with Anahiem), Kent Simpson (sent to New York as part of Leddy deal) and Mac Carruth (loaned to Indy of the ECHL) gone, the stage is set for newcomers Michael Leighton and Scott Darling to share the IceHogs netminding duties.

Leighton is coming off a strong year with Donbass of the KHL, and brings with him over a decade of professional experience. His counterpart in Darling is poised to make a name for himself in the professional ranks, after showing promise last season. In 26 appearances with Milwaukee, Darling built a 13-6-2 record with six shutouts.

The IceHogs begin their season by renewing their rivalry with the Midwest Division rival Admirals. Rockford is looking to improve on their 4-7-0-1 season series mark with Milwaukee last year, where they went 3-3-0-0 at home. The two teams will once again become extremely familiar with each other in 2014-15, as Saturday marks the first of 12 meetings between the two teams.

Milwaukee is coming off of a 39-24-6-7 finish a year ago, which was good for third place in the Midwest Division and a playoff berth, before being swept by the Marlies in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. The Admirals are returning their 2013-14 leading scorer Miikka Salomaki (20g-30a) and Colton Sissons, who tallied 11 points (6g-5a) against Rockford last year.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Oct. 25 vs. Chicago Wolves, Puck drop is 7 p.m. The IceHogs will kick off the next installment of the Illinois Lottery Cup when the Wolves visit the BMO Harris Bank Center. The first 5,000 fans through the gate will leave with an IceHogs magnetic schedule courtesy of T6 Broadband.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 11, 2014


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