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IHL 2 Rockford IceHogs

Youth being served in Rockford

March 9, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Rockford IceHogs News Release


Glens Falls, NY.- With the Rockford IceHogs 10-2 win over the Elmira Jackals on Wednesday night, the IceHogs took back the top overall spot in the United Hockey League and moved its record to 41-11-6. Rockford, however, hasn't won this season the "traditional" way in the UHL. Of the current active 19 skaters on the IceHogs roster, nine of them are of rookie status and only two are veterans.

The young skaters aren't only filling spots on the roster either. Offensively, rookies Yannick Tifu and Chaz Johnson have been two of the IceHogs most consistent scorers since the turn of the calendar. Overall, Tifu ranks second on the club in scoring with 22g-39a-61pts and Johnson has 20g-20a-40pts. Robin Big Snake has been at or near the top in goal scoring this season for Rockford as well, as he currently is tied for the most tallies on the club with 25.

"Right now, we are probably the youngest team in the UHL and youngest team to hold the top spot in the UHL this late into the season," said IceHogs Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Steve Martinson.

The offense is paced by third year skater Jason Notermann who has 25g-40a-65pts. Third year winger Greg Barber is currently riding a club-record 12-game point streak and returning center and third year skater Olivier Proulx is heating up and tied an IceHogs club mark against Elmira with six points (1a-5a).

Center Preston Mizzi (fifth year), wingers Jason Ralph (fifth season), Rob Voltera (veteran) and Bruce Watson (veteran) represent the elder statesmen on the club, and have provided plenty of leadership for the young team.

On defense, second year skater Steve Pelletier anchors down a blueline unit that features five other rookies. With fourth-year d-man Corey Hessler (Milwaukee Admirals) called-up to the American Hockey League, the IceHogs featured a defensive core coming into the weekend set out east with a combined 134 games experience of professional hockey when the 2005-06 season began. The youth hasn't hindered Rockford's defensive output, as they rank second in the UHL with a goals against average of 2.66.

"It's special being the most experience guy on defense in only my second season," said Pelletier. "Last season I was the youngest and now I have more games than everyone else combined. I didn't change anything and I just try to make the simple plays and lead by example."

The goaltending is young as well for the IceHogs, as Michel Robinson, the reigning UHL Goaltender of the Year, is currently in his third season and Ronnie Vogel is skating in his sixth season in the pro ranks.

Next Home Game: Friday, March 17 vs. Richmond RiverDogs. The game is slated to start at 7:05 p.m. The IceHogs return home from a long road swing to take on the Richmond RiverDogs. The first 1,000 fans to the game will receive IceHogs Poster #5 in a series of seven from Medicine Man, Johnson Press, Pepsi and the Rockford Register Star. Also, the IceHogs will hold their annual Airplane Toss with Wheels By RT. One lucky fan will have an opportunity to win a trip to Las Vegas.

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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.

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