On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Rockford IceHogs hosted the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic at the BMO Center. Featuring IceHogs players Nick Lardis, Kevin Korchinski and captain Brett Seney, the host Hogs looked to put on a show, both on and off the ice.
Skills Competition
All AHL all-stars paused to take a photo before the Skills Competition. (Photo courtesy of Brad Repplinger / AHL)
On Feb. 10, the festivities began with the Skills Competition.
Before the competition took place, IceHog all-stars took time to take answers from the media.
“Should be fun … compete … meet new guys … fun to do it with Lardis and Seens (Seney),” Korchinski said. “It’s going to be a blast playing for the home crowd.”
“I’m happy to be here,” Lardis said. “To be an all-star and to be in Rockford, pretty lucky to have it here.”
“Easy decision to join,” Seney said. “Seeing all the effort … gives people from other teams an inside look at how professional and how well-run Rockford is.”
Following player introductions and the national anthems, with the United States anthem being performed by legendary Chicago Blackhawks anthem singer Wayne Messmer, the festivities began with the puck control relay.
Two Hogs participated in this event in Seney and Lardis. In his attempt, Seney had unfortunately (and hilariously) ran into a camera man, causing him to lose his race. The hometown crowd let the cameraman know their displeasure with his interference with a chorus of boos.
However, Lardis did win his race, with some cheating. Lardis did acknowledge his cheating, but stated confidently after the Skills Competition, “if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying.”
Although Lardis won his race, the Eastern Conference won three out of four races, giving them the early lead.
Korchinski and Seney later participated in the rapid fire challenge, being stonewalled by their opponent goaltenders.
Nick Lardis participating in the accuracy shooting challenge. (Photo courtesy of the AHL)
After the rapid fire challenge, Lardis participated in the accuracy shooting challenge, falling one shot short of a perfect round.
In the final competition, all three Hog all-stars competed in the breakaway relay challenge, going 0 for 3.
IceHogs all-stars Nick Lardis, Brett Seney and Kevin Korchinski at the Skills Competition. (Photo courtesy of the AHL)
Skills Competition results
Puck control relay: East wins 3-1
Fastest skater: Konsta Helenius (ROC) 13.770 seconds
Rapid fire: East
Hardest shot: Arthur Kaliyev (BEL) 104.0 miles per hour
Accuracy shooting: Jagger Firkus (CV)
Pass and score: West 6, East 5
Breakaway relay: West 6, East 5
Final results: East Wins 18-15
All-Star Challenge
Nick Lardis opened up the All-Star Challenge with a highlight-reel goal. (Photo courtesy of the AHL)
After a full day of events, including community outreach, a hall-of-fame ceremony and a press conference with the President and CEO of the AHL, Scott Howson, the All-Star Challenge somehow eclipsed the previous night’s competition.
The challenge began with player introductions, with the hometown Hogs receiving loud ovations. The loudest ovation was reserved for the anthem singer, Blackhawks anthem singer Jim Cornelison. The roar made its way to the BMO Center, with the Rockford crowd cheering throughout the entire anthem.
Following the anthems, the round robin competition began between the Central Division and the Atlantic Division. Each game consisted of two four-minute periods of 3-on-3 hockey. The Central Division decided to start the game with an opening line of Seney-Lardis-Korchinski, which received another roar from the home crowd.
The first game ended in an overtime loss for the Central, however, Lardis scored the first goal of the entire challenge, and scored in the shootout. Both goals fired up a very partisan crowd.
With the round robin standings based on games won, and goal differential, it came down to the final game of the round robin between the Central Division and the Pacific Division. Needing to win by four goals to advance to the championship, the Central pulled their goaltender twice while up 2-0 in an attempt to secure their spot. By some miracle, and a little encouragement from the hometown crowd, the Central scored twice. Winning 4-0, the championship would be determined in a final game between the Central and the Pacific.
The rematch would go in the Pacific’s favor, winning 3-1. Colorado Eagles all-star Jayson Megna won the BMO Most Valuable Player of the All-Star Challenge, preventing Korchinski from going back-to-back.
Game results
Game 1 — Central Division 1, Atlantic Division 1 (SO)
Game 2 — Pacific Division 4, North Division 1
Game 3 — Pacific Division 3, Atlantic Division 2
Game 4 — North Division 3, Central Division 2
Game 5 — Atlantic Division 4, North Division 0
Game 6 — Central Division 4, Pacific Division 0
Championship — Pacific Division 3, Central Division 1
Final thoughts
Brett Seney and Nick Lardis celebrate on the ice with their Central Division teammates following a goal. (Photo courtesy of Kirsten Stickney / AHL)
The success of the All-Star Classic could be felt from everyone. From the Rockford crowd chanting “ref you suck” twice on Wednesday night, to AHL President and CEO Howson heaping immense praise on the organization and city during his press conference, the Classic put the spotlight on Rockford, and they delivered.
“I loved the crowd, I love it here,” Korchinski said when asked about the crowd. “It’s very cool having it here.”
“Honestly, expected from these fans,” Lardis stated about Rockford’s faithful. “The support they’ve given us … it has been a lot of fun, the whole week, the whole year, it’s been unbelievable.”
If these festivities have proven anything, it is that the IceHogs organization, in every aspect, is first-class. The question is not “if” the All-Star Classic will return to the Screw City, but how soon can it return.
Season resumption
Despite the fun times the All-Star Classic presents, there is still a regular season to finish.
“Have fun tonight and right back in tomorrow,” Lardis said when asked postgame about the season. “Try to make a playoff push here; our team’s been struggling a little bit, there’s no excuse right now, it’s kinda go-time for our team to get as many points as we can.”
Go time for the IceHogs resumes on Saturday at home against the Milwaukee Admirals at 7 p.m CST.