Short-staffed Rockford loans another All-Star to AHL
February 9, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford Ill.- Rockford IceHogs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Steve Martinson announced Wednesday that the United Hockey League club has loaned All-Star defenseman Nathan Lutz to the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves. Martinson also announced that defenseman Eric Skaug was activated from team suspension.
For Lutz, it marks his second call-up of the season. Earlier in the campaign, the fourth year defenseman was loaned to the Milwaukee Admirals. For the season, Lutz has netted a career high 10g-16a-26pts and ranks third in the UHL with a plus/minus rating of +29. In Lutz's last 10 contests, he has 3g-5a-8pts with a plus-12.
"The timing isn't great, but it usually never is," said Martinson. "Players came here this year for an opportunity to be called-up. When their chance comes and you don't let them go, you lose the player and eventually the team."
Lutz is one of seven players from this season's IceHogs squad to receive a promotion to the AHL and fourth player to receive multiple call-ups. The Hogs defenseman will join Tim Wedderburn with the Wolves. Wedderburn started the season with Rockford, was re-called to the AHL in November and has stuck with the Atlanta Thrashers (NHL) top affiliate ever since.
Last season, Lutz was loaned three times while playing with Rockford and finished the season with the Admirals, collecting a championship while Milwaukee won the Calder Cup. Lutz also skated with the Portland Pirates last season and Cleveland Barons during his rookie campaign. Lutz is expected to suit up tonight when the Wolves host the Utah Grizzlies at the All-State Arena.
Other players loaned to the AHL from Rockford this season include forwards Jason Ralph (Milwaukee and the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks), Olivier Proulx (Milwaukee), and Terry Harrison (Milwaukee), and defenseman Ryan Bonni and goalie Michel Robinson twice to Milwaukee each.
Hogs Home This Week For Three: The IceHogs open up a three game homestand tonight when the Port Huron Beacons return to the Rockford MetroCentre at 7:05 p.m.. Tonight is another PigOut Wednesday with the IceHogs and WXRX, 104.9FM.
On Friday, February 11, the Flint Generals pay a visit to Rockford and the first 1,000 fans to the big orange box will pick up an IceHogs Smash Hit Hockey Poster #5 from Medicine Man, Pepsi, Johnson Press, Rockford Register Star and 96.7FM, The Eagle.
Rockford closes out Week 18 with a match-up their only match-up of the season with the Adirondack Frostbite. Make sure to bring your camera because Chuckie from RugRats, the popular Nickelodean cartoon, will be on hand courtesy of Insight Communications and Y-95 FM. All three games begin at 7:05 p.m. and for tickets call (815) 968-5222.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from February 9, 2005
- Shortbenched IceHogs loan players to AHL - IHL 2
- River Otters Defeat Mallards 3-2; Johnson Scores First UHL Goal - Missouri River Otters
- River Otters Acquire Littlejohn From Adirondack - Missouri River Otters
- RiverDogs game night - Richmond RiverDogs
- Kid Rockin' At Mechanics Games - Motor City Mechanics
- Short-staffed Rockford loans another All-Star to AHL - Rockford IceHogs
- Tickets Still Available For Upcoming Mechanics Games - Motor City Mechanics
- Gherson Recalled to Aeros - Quad City Mallards
- Frostbite move into first after sweep of Trashers - Adirondack Frostbite
- Otters unveil Gulliver's Travel Las Vegas Vacation Contest - Missouri River Otters
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.
