Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman’s trade deadline balance sheet looks like the following:

IN
RW Vinnie Hinostroza
RW Brett Connolly
D Riley Stillman
C/W Henrik Borgstrom
C/W Adam Gaudette
F Ryder Rolston
F Josh Dickinson
2021 second-round pick
2022 third-round pick
2021 fourth-round pick
2021 seventh-round pick

OUT
F Brad Morrison
F Lucas Wallmark
D Lucas Carlsson
F Matthew Highmore
C Carl Soderberg
C/W Mattias Janmark
D Madison Bowey
2021 fifth-round pick
2022 fifth-round pick

Net result: Positive, since the Hawks gave up absolutely nothing that is part of their long-term plan or even close to it, and acquired some projectable assets.

Caveat: While the same folks are doing the same “Big StanBo Victory Dance-a-thon” on Twitter this afternoon, if we are really being honest, the actual return here is, ahem, pretty conditional. Put another way, we know that all the “guys” than Bowman unloaded are nothing more than “guys.” But, we also know that:

• Hinostroza has historically been, well, a “guy”
• Connolly has been a disappointment much of his career and will very plausibly be wearing a Kraken sweater this summer
• No one has ever seen Stillman and Carlsson in the same room at the same time
• Vancouver thought Gaudette was worth losing for Highmore
• Rolston has been described in scouting reports as being defensively weak, a perimeter player and lacking high-level hockey sense. But, he is a Notre Dame guy, so, go Stan!

How this will play out: Fifth- and seventh-round draft picks are only slightly more statistically likely to play in the NHL than I am. But, Borgstrom (a 2016 first-round pick), and the second- and third-round picks Bowman acquired could each turn into something of value down the line. Similarly, statistically, many second- and third-rounders do not make it in the NHL (look no further than the Hawks’ own history in those rounds).

But, let’s say Borgstrom and one of those picks matriculate as solid contributors for the Hawks in say, middle- or bottom-six roles? Meh, okay, because in the larger perspective, Bowman gave up nothing he wanted to keep.

So, this trade deadline was overall a “win” for Bowman and the Hawks, but also not necessarily a big win—unless some combination of the picks and prospects Bowman acquired beat the odds, and exceed expectations and current projections.

All we have for now.

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Both Highmore and Lankinen signed two-year contract extensions, with year one (2020–21) being two-way deals and year two (2021–22) transitioning into one-way deals. Highmore’s deal comes with a $725,000 AAV ($700,000 NHL/$450,000 AHL in year one, $750,000 in year two), while Lankinen’s deal holds an $800,000 AAV ($750,000 NHL/$500,000 AHL in year one, $850,000 in year two).

Kevin Lankinen moves across the crease to stop a shot. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

This season, Highmore played in 21 AHL games with the Rockford IceHogs, tallying 12 points, as well as playing in 36 NHL games with the Blackhawks and notching six points. He has 49 career NHL games with the Blackhawks and was named an AHL All-Star in 2017–18 with the IceHogs.

Lankinen made 21 appearances with the IceHogs this season, holding a record of 8–10–2 with a 3.03 goals against average and a .909 save percentage. He was also recalled to the Blackhawks this season, but has yet to make his NHL debut. Lankinen has played in 40 career AHL games with the IceHogs, was named an AHL All-Star this season and helped Team Finland win the 2019 World Championship gold medal last summer.

The Blackhawks signed entry-level deals with two of their 2017 NHL Entry Draft picks, giving Penn State standout Evan Barratt a three-year deal and Russian prospect Andrei Altybarmakyan a two-year deal. Barratt’s contract holds an $870,000 AAV, while Altybarmakyan’s deal is worth $817,500 annually.

Evan Barratt skates in a game for Penn State during the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of Heather Weikel)

Barratt was the 90th overall selection in 2017 by Chicago and has spent the last three years playing at Penn State. In 98 career NCAA games, Barratt scored 39 goals and totaled 95 points. He was part of Team USA’s U18 World Junior Championship gold medal team in 2017, took home a silver medal with Team USA at the 2019 World Junior Championships and was named to the First Team All-Big 10 list as a sophomore in the 2018–19 season.

Altybarmakyan was selected 70th overall by the Blackhawks in 2017 and has played in Russia his whole career. He has spent the majority of the last two seasons with HK Sochi in the KHL. He tallied six goals and 17 points this year with HK Sochi and has 23 points in 101 career KHL games.

Both Barratt’s and Altybarmakyan’s deals begin next season.

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Stock Up

There is a lot to be excited about for this IceHogs team, especially as it currently stands. As of writing this article, Rockford is in fourth-place in the AHL Central Division with 25 points and sits in third-place based on points-percentage at a 90.4-point pace. Last season, 87 points was enough to make the Calder Cup Playoffs out of the Central Division. Rockford is also 5-1-1 in their last seven contests with key games ahead against the Central Division leading Milwaukee Admirals. With one of the youngest rosters in the AHL, the IceHogs have leaned on rookie production and solid goaltending performances to sit in their current spot.

Goaltending

Coming into the season, Collin Delia and Kevin Lankinen were penciled into the number three and four spots in the Chicago Blackhawks goaltending depth chart. Lankinen was coming off a World Championship Gold Medal performance with Finland and Delia finished the 2018-19 season as one of the top goalies in the AHL. Fast-forward to this moment in time in December and Lankinen has played his way into the number three spot, followed by Matt Tomkins taking over the number four spot. Lankinen has a 5-2-1 record with a 2.48 GAA and a .924 save percentage while Tomkins sports a 4-1-0 record, 2.38 GAA and a .921 save percentage in his first substantial action in the AHL of his career.

Kevin Lankinen of the Rockford IceHogs. (Photo courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

The IceHogs have held all three goaltenders on their roster this season, rotating Lankinen, Delia and Tomkins based on their levels of play or short-term injury. While Delia has seen the most starts this season, it is Lankinen and Tomkins who have had the most success. With Corey Crawford and Robin Lehner holding court in Chicago, it will be interesting to see if the organization continues to hold the three goalies in Rockford or attempt to make a roster move with one of the three. For the time being, in between the pipes continues to be the most consistent bright spot for the IceHogs.

Sikura Brothers

While they are three years apart in age, the Sikura brothers are identical on the stat sheet through their time with the IceHogs this season. Both hold the team-lead in goals with eight and both hold the team-lead in points with 14. Dylan Sikura, the younger brother, having played in one fewer game than older brother Tyler Sikura, who has skated in every game for Rockford this season.

Rockford IceHogs forward Dylan Sikura. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

For Dylan this season, it has been more of the same for his role with the IceHogs. He is producing points, being a danger in the offensive zone and putting up a team-leading 86 shots, 40 more than any other teammate. Dylan and Tyler have been linemates for a decent amount of games this season, with Tyler’s workman-style of play rubbing off on Dylan as his game has grown from being a perimeter playmaker to a more two-way forward with a skilled set of hands. Whether or not his NHL future is with the Blackhawks is still up in the air as he has been passed over for call-ups so far this season, but don’t rule out Chicago recalling Dylan if they are in need of a spark offensively.

Tyler Sikura of the Rockford IceHogs. (Photo courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Tyler has enjoyed a bounce-back season with Rockford through the first 21 games this year. After posting a career-best year for the IceHogs in 2017-18, leading to his first NHL contract, he suffered a setback in production last season. His eight goals this season has already surpassed his goal total from last year and he continues to be one of the more effective two-way forwards for Rockford this season. Not to mention, Tyler has been one of the leaders of this young IceHogs roster all year, culminating in head coach Derek King naming Tyler the IceHogs’ Captain following the exit of Kris Versteeg. Knowing the person Tyler is, seeing his hard work being rewarded so early on this season is a much needed positive for the IceHogs.

Rookie Forwards

The IceHogs have one of the youngest and most inexperienced rosters in the AHL. Playing sometimes up to 10 rookies a game, the IceHogs could have had their youth hurt them to begin the year. While it was mostly an up and down start, the production of a few standout rookie forwards has put the IceHogs right in the thick of the Calder Cup playoff picture as Christmas approaches.

Brandon Hagel of the Rockford IceHogs. (Photo Courtesy of the Grand Rapids Griffins)

Two of the more notable rookie forwards for the IceHogs this season are a pair of non-Chicago drafted players in Brandon Hagel and MacKenzie Entwistle. Hagel leads all rookies with 11 points on the season with Entwistle behind him with ten points on the season. Hagel is second on the team with 46 shots on goal and Entwistle leads all rookies with .56 points per game, .01 better than Hagel. Both players have been key on both the powerplay and penalty-kill teams for the IceHogs and play significant minutes at even-strength.

MacKenzie Entwistle of the Rockford IceHogs. (Photo courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Along with Hagel and Entwistle, Rockford’s rookie forwards are highlighted by Philipp Kurashev and Reese Johnson sitting third and fourth in rookie scoring, and by Tim Soderlund who has been getting more ice-time in recent games and scored his first professional goal with the IceHogs on November 30 against the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Stock Level

Granted everything can’t be bright and rosy for the IceHogs. They have been benefiting from a number of different factors this season, but there have been a few areas where there hasn’t been consistency, or rather there hasn’t been much to help or hurt Rockford. Things are either even-keel or have been so far up and down that it’s hard to get a reading from them. Rookie blueliners and the veterans of the young IceHogs squad fit this category so far this season.

Rookie Defesemen

There might not have been two players with more eyes on them to begin the season with the IceHogs than rookie defensemen Adam Boqvist and Nicolas Beaudin. The two first-round draft picks by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2018 NHL Draft have been developing at a minor-rate to begin the year with Rockford. While it’s not all bad, there is less eye-popping good so far through the first 21 games of the season.

Adam Boqvist of the Rockford IceHogs. (Photo Courtesy of the Grand Rapids Griffins)

For Boqvist, a player many thought could have made the Blackhawks roster out of training camp, the season has been a bit of a roller coaster. He began the year with Rockford and came out of the gate a bit slow for his lofty expectations. He scored his first professional goal on October 30, his first point of the AHL season, and was promptly recalled to the Chicago Blackhawks for a handful of games before returning to the IceHogs in mid-November. Boqvist looked like he had turned a major corner upon his return from the NHL, tallying five assists in three games following his reassignment. But in four games since then, he has been held without a point for the IceHogs with five shots on goal and a plus-two rating. He’ll continue to be a factor on the IceHogs’ powerplay unit and will be in the top-four rotation for head coach Derek King, but finding consistency at both ends of the ice is still the main focus for the former eighth overall pick.

Nicolas Beaudin of the Rockford IceHogs. (Photo courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

In the case of Nicolas Beaudin and the other rookie defensemen for the IceHogs, finding positive consistency is the focus for them to turn the corner following the first 21 games of the season. Beaudin hasn’t been factoring into too many of the highlight-reel plays for the IceHogs but has been given the opportunity to play a key role on special teams by head coach Derek King. His five assists ranks in a tie for second among rookie skaters as Boqvist, Hagel and Entwistle all have five helpers on the season, trailing Kurashev with six. Beaudin has been consistently average for Rockford as a whole this season, but he iss beginning to see an upswing in his production with all five of his points coming in his last 12 games played. The IceHogs will need him to take the next step up if they are to continue their current streak of play.

Veterans

While the theme for the IceHogs so far this season has been production from their youth, it’s the veterans that have been relatively steady in the middle for Rockford. That’s the role they’ll need to play as the team continues to stay near the top of the Central Division. While the Sikura brothers have been the standouts, players like Matthew Highmore, Jacob Nilsson and John Quenneville have been key in keeping the IceHogs afloat in tough times.

Jacob Nilsson of the Rockford IceHogs (Photo Courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Last year, Jacob Nilsson was named the IceHogs’ team MVP. It was a down year offensively for Rockford following the most successful year in the AHL in the franchise’s history in 2017-18. Nilsson has continued his steady play this season, getting key minutes at even-strength and being a contributor to the special teams play. Nilsson is a jack of all trades but master of none type of player. He can do a bit of everything, but nothing is going to blow you away. Nothing wrong with that. He’ll continue to be a leader on the team and be relied upon to show the rookies how to be successful at the professional level.

Matthew Highmore of the Rockford IceHogs. (Photo courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

While still young and in the early stages of their careers, players like Matthew Highmore and John Quenneville have played important roles for Rockford and their experience shines compared to the rest of the roster. Highmore is coming off shoulder surgery and missed nearly all of last year. He’s rejoined the IceHogs at full health and has come up big in spurts. Same goes for Quenneville after returning to the lineup after an injury kept him out for a handful of games early on this season. Highmore was called up to the Blackhawks for a short stint earlier this season and it may not be the last time he gets a call-up, but he’ll need to be consistently on the scoresheet for the IceHogs to keep seeing the level of success they have in the last few games. He ranks in a tie for second on the team in scoring with 11 points in 19 games. Quenneville has four of his five points on the season in his last six games played.

Stock Down

Finally, not to end on a downer note, but the IceHogs are not immune to some blemishes so far this season. While these are the two glaring areas that they have struggled this season, there is definitely room and ability for improvement. While earlier we said goaltending was the biggest bright spot for the IceHogs through 21 games, it’s goaltending as a whole. Excluding the play of Lankinen and Tomkins, Collin Delia is in need of finding his form from the 2018-19 season to help the IceHogs as they gun for the top spot in the AHL Central Division. Also holding Rockford back is their play on special teams, which ranks at the collective bottom of the league.

Collin Delia

Delia is a solid goaltender. That fact is hard to dispute. But his play in net has not been up to the quality that Blackhawks and IceHogs fans have seen from him since late in the 2017-18 season. Delia was a key player in getting the IceHogs to the Calder Cup Western Conference Finals in 2018 and he was a bright spot in a rather dreary 2018-19 campaign for the Blackhawks. He finished last season in the AHL with a 13-8-4 record, 2.48 GAA and a  .922 save percentage. He ranked ninth in GAA and second in save percentage in the AHL among qualified goalies. This season, he is third on the team in both categories.

Collin Delia of the Rockford IceHogs. (Photo Courtesy of the Grand Rapids Griffins)

But there is hope for Delia since his recent track record shows he is better than his current form. In his most recent outing, Delia made 37 saves on 39 shots in an IceHogs win over the Manitoba Moose. An upswing in Delia’s play would give the IceHogs potentially one of the best goaltending trios in the AHL. (Maybe the only one?)

Special Teams

Rockford’s special teams this season, without sugarcoating it, are awful. 29th in the AHL on the powerplay at 10.8 percent and dead-last in the league on the penalty-kill at a 75.6 percent kill-rate. It’s nothing new for the powerplay as they finished last season in the same 29th spot with a 14.5 percent success rate, but the penalty-kill has seen a significant drop from last year’s 10th-ranked 82.3 percent kill-rate.

The Rockford IceHogs celebrate a goal against the Grand Rapids Griffins. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Scheme may be at play here, but the more likely cause of the low numbers more likely is attributed to the inexperience of the roster. Rockford is playing the majority of their special teams time, both on the penalty-kill and on the man-advantage, with almost exclusively rookies. While the powerplay will rotate two units, a more veteran unit and an all rookie unit, it’s the rookie units that see the majority of the time in the ice while on the advantage.

The penalty-kill units are more mixed in their personnel, but while ranking in the bottom half of the AHL in times short-handed (90), there shouldn’t be the struggles that the IceHogs have endured. Rockford has six short-handed goals this season, tied for third-most in the AHL, so the skill is there across the board for the IceHogs, but it comes down to clearing bodies and giving whichever goalie is in net the best chance to be the best asset on the penalty-kill. On paper, the IceHogs are more talented than their numbers suggest. There is room for and belief in the special teams improving by the AHL All-Star break.

What’s Next?

The Rockford IceHogs are back in action on Friday night as they travel to take on the Grand Rapids Griffins. Puck drop for Friday is set for 6 p.m. CST at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Rockford holds a 2-2-0 record against the Griffins this season. Following Friday’s action, the IceHogs return home for a Saturday night contest against the Milwaukee Admirals. Saturday night’s game is also set for a 6 p.m. CST puck drop at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford. It is the first meeting between the IceHogs and Admirals this season, with the teams squaring-off twelve times this year.

The post Stock Report: Rockford IceHogs after 21 games appeared first on The Rink.

IceHogs perfecting art of the comeback

Starting on Saturday night, the IceHogs were coming off a 6–2 win over the San Antonio Rampage in a “great-right” effort from a disastrous weekend prior. It would be the first game for Rockford since the recall of rookie defenseman Adam Boqvist to the Chicago Blackhawks. Special teams would not be in favor of the IceHogs, as they allowed power play goals in the first and second periods to fall to a 2–0 hole heading into the third period.

Rockford would attempt to power their way out of the deficit, outshooting the Wild 28–21 in the second and third periods combined. Late in the final frame came the first breakthrough with Lucas Carlsson‘s first goal of the season, scoring on a slap shot from the top of the right circle. Just 28 seconds later, with Kevin Lankinen pulled, the IceHogs tied it up thanks to Tyler Sikura tipping a shot from Carlsson to tie the game at 2–2.

Sikura’s fifth of the season sent the game into overtime, where Matthew Highmore found the game-winning goal on a two-on-one break to give the IceHogs the 3–2 win in extra time.

Lankinen stopped 30 of 32 shots faced in Saturday’s contest to notch his second win of the season. Lankinen is now 2–1–0 on the year in three appearances with a 2.31 goals against average and a .926 save percentage for Rockford, leading the team in both categories.

After the thrilling overtime win over the Wild, the IceHogs turned their attention to their Illinois Lottery Cup rivals, the Chicago Wolves, on Sunday afternoon for the third meeting between the teams in the season series. Rockford came into Sunday’s contest already with two wins over the Wolves in their first two meetings of the year and had never started a season with three consecutive wins over Chicago in the Illinois Lottery Cup rivalry series history.

Much like Saturday’s start, the IceHogs were flat out of the gate and found themselves down 2–0 after 20 minutes of action. As the game approached the midway point, Rockford had surrendered a third goal before Jacob Nilsson stopped the bleeding for the moment with a rare power play goal to make it a 3–1 game in the second period. The Wolves would add a second goal in the middle frame to extend their lead to 4–1.

From that point on, the IceHogs would respond in a big way, outscoring the Wolves 6–0 on their way to a 7–4 win. MacKenzie Entwistle cut the Chicago lead in half at 4–2 just over a minute after the 4–1 goal to give the IceHogs life heading into the third period.

In the third period, that life turned into a five-goal onslaught for Rockford. Just over 10 minutes into the period, Dylan Sikura pulled the IceHogs within one, scoring the 4–3 goal while on the power play. Nearly a minute and a half later, Brandon Hagel tallied his first professional goal to tie the game up at 4–4. Another minute and a half would go by before the younger Sikura would net his second goal of the period to give the IceHogs the 5–4 lead, marking his fourth multi-goal game in his AHL career. Three minutes after that, Sikura would complete the hat trick with a goal assisted by his older brother, Tyler, to give Rockford the 6–4 lead, capping a stretch of four goals in six minutes of the third period for the IceHogs. The hat trick is the first in Sikura’s professional career and gives him the team-lead in goals with six on the year.

Reese Johnson would finish the goal frenzy for the IceHogs with a shorthanded empty-net tally to seal the win for Rockford 7–4 over Chicago, giving the IceHogs their first ever three-game win streak to begin a season over the Wolves. Collin Delia backstopped the IceHogs in the win, making 21 saves on 25 shots faced and improving his record this season to 2–3–0. The win also pulled the IceHogs to an even .500 record this season at 5–5–0 through 10 games, good for sixth in the Central Division.

Hot Hogs through 10 games

After a rough start to the 2019–20 season, the IceHogs have balanced themselves out with impressive efforts over their last three games, albeit the last two had to be pulled from behind, but wins nonetheless. Through the first 10 games of the season, these are a few players who have been driving the IceHogs.

• Dylan Sikura — Forward
  • Leads team in goals (six)
  • Leads team in points (nine)
  • Leads team in shots on goal (34)
  • First career four-point game vs. Chicago on Nov. 3

Dylan Sikura of the Rockford IceHogs carries the puck up ice. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

• Tyler Sikura — Forward
  • Second on the team in goals (five)
  • Tied-second on the team in points (seven)
  • Leads team in plus/minus (+4)
  • Currently on three-game point streak (Oct. 30–Nov. 3)

Tyler Sikura of the Rockford IceHogs prepares for a game during warmups. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

• Matthew Highmore — Forward
  • Tied for second on the team in points (seven)
  • Game-winning goal vs. Wild (Nov. 2)
  • Five points in last three games (Oct. 30–Nov. 3)

Matthew Highmore of the Rockford IceHogs skates with the puck against the Chicago Wolves. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

• Anton Wedin — Forward
  • Tied for second on the team in assists (four)
  • Third on the team in points (six)
  • Third on the team in shots on goal (21)
  • Recorded three assists vs. Wolves on Nov. 3 to snap five-game point drought

Anton Wedin of the Rockford IceHogs carries the puck. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

• MacKenzie Entwistle — Forward
  • Tied for first on the team in rookie goals (four)
  • Tied for first on the team in rookie points (four)
  • Three points in last three games (Oct. 30–Nov. 3)

MacKenzie Entwistle of the Rockford IceHogs skates up ice against the Chicago Wolves. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

• Philip Holm — Defenseman
  • Leads defensemen, tied for third on the team in points (six)
  • Leads defensemen, second on the team in shots on goal (23)
  • Currently on three-game point streak (Oct. 30–Nov. 3)

Philip Holm of the Rockford IceHogs breaks out of his own zone. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

What’s next?

The Rockford IceHogs are back in action on Wednesday, as they host the Toronto Marlies for the first of two meetings this season. It is the first time since the 2014–15 season that the IceHogs and Marlies have faced each other, with Rockford holding an all-time series record of 8–5–3 against Toronto since joining the AHL in the 2007–08 season. Puck drop for Wednesday’s contest is set for 10:30 a.m. CST at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford. It is a ‘School Day’ game, as the start time would tell.

The post Rockford IceHogs extend win streak to three games appeared first on The Rink.

IceHogs 2019–20 team award picks: Preseason

For reference, these are the awards that will be picked and their winners from last season.

2018–19 winners:

Most Valuable Player: Jacob Nilsson
Rookie of the Year: Dylan Sikura
Defenseman of the Year: Lucas Carlsson
Unsung Hero: William Pelletier and Tyler Sikura
Heavy Hitter Award: Andreas Martinsen
Most Improved Player: Dennis Gilbert

The 2019–20 Rockford IceHogs roster shows a ton of promise and potential. With the incoming rookie class, the addition of veteran captain Kris Versteeg and the return of a number of still young veteran players, Rockford is poised to return to the Calder Cup Playoffs if all goes according to plans and expectations. But, who will take them there? Here are my picks for the key players for the IceHogs who will take home the team awards this season, the “preseason” edition.

2019–20 award predictions

Most Valuable Player: Matthew Highmore
Dark-horse picks: Collin Delia, Kris Versteeg

Highmore burst on to the IceHogs’ scene in 2017–18, breaking the team’s AHL rookie goal-scoring record in his first year of professional hockey. His season last year was derailed by injuries after starting the year with seven points in his first eight games before suffering a shoulder injury. If it were not for the injury and the resulting surgery Highmore needed to have, he very well could have played significant time with the Blackhawks in 2018–19.

Matthew Highmore prepares for a face off during an IceHogs game. (Photograph courtesy of Todd Reicher)

I am hopeful for a big bounce-back year from Highmore. A hard-working player at both ends of the ice, he has the ability to also be a trigger man for what is shaping up to be a highly skilled IceHogs roster.

Additional dark horse picks include goaltender Collin Delia and captain Kris Versteeg. Delia returns as one of the top goaltenders in the AHL last season and figures, barring injuries to either Corey Crawford or Robin Lehner with the Blackhawks, that he will play the majority of the season with Rockford. Versteeg could have enough gas left in the tank to not only play the role of mentor to the young IceHogs roster, but lead the team offensively, which would be a welcomed surprise.

Rookie of the Year: Adam Boqvist
Dark-horse picks: Brandon Hagel, Philipp Kurashev

This seems like an obvious pick. Boqvist is arguably the top prospect in the entire Blackhawks organization, depending on where you rank him and Kirby Dach. Boqvist could very well end up playing more with the Blackhawks than the IceHogs this season, but if he plays a majority of the year in the AHL, Boqvist could easily be the focal point of not only the rookie IceHogs, but the entire team as a whole.

Adam Boqvist of the Chicago Blackhawks shoots a puck at the 2018 Traverse City Rookie Tournament. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Boqvist’s offensive prowess is the key to his game, but his time in Rockford will be used to get him up to the professional speed of the game at both ends of the ice. If he can become reliable defensively, he will be the total package defenseman the Blackhawks believe he can be.

Additional dark horse picks are Brandon Hagel and Philipp Kurashev. Two forwards with a good amount of speed and snap to their games, both could very well challenge for the leading rookie scorer this season and may have a chance to lead the team at that.

Defenseman of the Year: Adam Boqvist
Dark-horse picks: Chad Krys, Dennis Gilbert

Trying to avoid being redundant here, but again, Boqvist is the main focus for the IceHogs blue line heading into this season. This will be the make or break for him in his first season as a professional. If Boqvist can get his defensive responsibilities and positioning down, he will be ready to contribute in the NHL with the Blackhawks and head coach Derek King and company will have done their biggest job from a development standpoint.

Chad Krys joined the IceHogs late in the 2018–19 season after spending three years at Boston University. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

This is one of the more talented blue lines for the IceHogs in recent memory. Aside from Boqvist, players like Nicolas Beaudin, Lucas Carlsson, Dennis Gilbert and Chad Krys all look to be relied on heavily for Rockford to keep goaltenders Collin Delia and Kevin Lankinen‘s jobs easy. Additional dark-horse picks include the aforementioned Gilbert and Krys, as their talents can shine for Rockford on opposite ends of the ice. Gilbert, the more physical, defensive stalwart, and Krys, the mobile offense generator.

Unsung Hero: Jacob Nilsson
Dark-horse picks: MacKenzie Entwistle, Tyler Sikura

It is hard to imagine a guy who was team MVP last season going down as an unsung hero the next year. But, Jacob Nilsson is a player who does a little bit of everything for the IceHogs. He was a role player for the IceHogs last year that played on the power play and penalty kill and was relied upon to provide point production. He will likely be that player again, but there is the chance that Nilsson’s role will be buried in the lineup if the rookie class for the IceHogs pans out to be all it is being cooked up to be.

Jacob Nilsson skates in an IceHogs game. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

He is still a key piece to the puzzle that is the 2019–20 IceHogs and will factor into what could be their return to the Calder Cup Playoffs. Additional dark-horse picks include last year’s unsung hero Tyler Sikura and rookie MacKenzie Entwistle. Both players fit the role of guys who do a little bit of everything for the team. I will lean harder toward Entwistle than Sikura as my backup pick.

Heavy Hitter Award: Dennis Gilbert
Dark-horse picks: Reese Johnson, Joni Tuulola

No question here. Dennis Gilbert is the most physical defenseman maybe in the entire Blackhawks organization right now. A stay-at-home defender since his time at Notre Dame, Gilbert stood out as a prospect with his physical play. He brought that same style to the ice last year in his first full professional season and later in the year added a bit of offensive production to the table. He was a late training camp cut and even began the season with the Blackhawks. He and Boqvist will likely be the first two players called upon by Chicago if and when there is need on the Blackhawks blue line.

Dennis Gilbert tallied 14 points for the Rockford IceHogs in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Additional dark-horse picks include fellow defenseman Joni Tuulola and rookie forward Reese Johnson. While physicality is not the name of the game for either player like it is for Gilbert, both have shown the willingness to play heavy in the past and Johnson has a knack already for dropping the gloves when called upon.

Most Improved Player: Kevin Lankinen
Dark-horse picks: Alexandre Fortin, Nick Moutrey

One of the hardest awards to try to predict, given what defines an improvement, but I will go with the guy who will jump out and be the surprise in net this season with Kevin Lankinen. His expectations are high after a busy summer, helping Finland win the World Championships gold medal. He played third-fiddle to one of, if not the best, goalie tandems in the AHL last season behind Delia and Anton Forsberg, but Lankinen had a solid showing in his first North American season. If his summer performance for Finland and with the Blackhawks in training camp is any indication of the future, Lankinen may end up being the ‘1A-1B’ with Delia this year and help backstop Rockford to a highly successful year.

Kevin Lankinen makes a save during an IceHogs game last season. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Additional dark-horse picks include Alexandre Fortin and Nick Moutrey. While Moutrey’s skillset is more limited in comparison to the rest of the IceHogs’ current lineup and will see him fighting hard to keep his minutes steady, head coach Derek King praised Moutrey’s play last season and rewarded him with consistent minutes. In the case of Fortin, it seems like the time is now or never for him to break out. He has all the speed in his game that one could ask for, but his hands have been what has held him back from becoming an NHL-regular for the Blackhawks. Dealing with injuries has not helped his case either, but if Fortin can stay healthy this year, I have hopes that he can put things together playing with more highly skilled teammates.

What’s next?

After dropping the regular season opener against the Iowa Wild last Friday, the IceHogs will have taken a full week off from hockey before jumping back onto the ice on Saturday night. The IceHogs face the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday night at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford to open the home schedule for the 2019–20 season. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. CDT on Saturday.

The post Rockford IceHogs 2019-20 season award picks: Preseason appeared first on The Rink.

Versteeg named IceHogs captain

Entering his 15th season as a professional, Versteeg is the eldest statesman on a young Rockford roster that will see nearly a dozen players making their first full-year debuts in professional hockey. A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, Versteeg played with the IceHogs during the 2007–08 season, skating in 56 games and tallying 49 points.

: "To go through all I've gone through and come to a moment like this, it's pretty emotional."

FW Kris Versteeg on being named team captain ahead of 2019-20 season. pic.twitter.com/eqczQE7HV6

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) October 2, 2019

Versteeg will serve as the 11th IceHogs captain in the AHL franchise history, the first since Jake Dowell wore the ‘C’ in 2016–17. The alternate captain group consists of a trio of veteran IceHogs forwards who have all worn the ‘A’ previously for Rockford. Highmore, Nilsson and Sikura will be relied on to lead the young roster, along with Versteeg, as the IceHogs look to capture the potential of their rookies and return to the Calder Cup Playoffs after missing the postseason last year.

The post Derek King names Kris Versteeg newest Rockford IceHogs captain appeared first on The Rink.

Parts of the series

Introduction

Tiers one and two

Tier three

Tier four

Tier five

Tier six

Complete tier listings with our panel’s original average tier ratings (* represents a unanimous rating from the panel)

Tier one

Adam Boqvist (1*)
Kirby Dach (1*)

Tier two

Ian Mitchell (1.833)
Nicolas Beaudin (2.333)

Tier three

Alex Vlasic (2.833)
Alex Nylander (3)
Dominik Kubalik (3.167)
Philipp Kurashev (3.167)
Chad Krys (3.333)
Jake Wise (3.5)
Alexis Gravel (4)

Tier four

Evan Barratt (3.5)
MacKenzie Entwistle (3.667)
Aleksi Saarela (3.833)
Josiah Slavin (3.833)
Dennis Gilbert (4)
Matthew Highmore (4)
Kevin Lankinen (4)
Niklas Nordgren (4)
John Quenneville (4*)
Michal Teply (4)
Lucas Carlsson (4.167)
Tim Soderlund (4.167)
Alexandre Fortin (4.333)

Tier five

Brandon Hagel (4.333)
Antti Saarela (4.333)
Dominic Basse (4.5)
Artur Kayumov (4.5)
Josh Ess (4.667)
Jakub Galvas (4.833)
Mikael Hakkarainen (4.833)
Reese Johnson (4.833)
Cole Moberg (4.833)
Andrei Altybarmakyan (5.167)
Ivan Nalimov (5.167)
Joni Tuulola (5.167)

Tier six

Mathias From (5.333)
Roope Laavainen (5.333)
Ryan Shea (5.333)
Parker Foo (5.5)
Jake Ryczek (5.5)
Nathan Noel (5.667)
Graham Knott (5.833)

Note: Our panel discovered at a later date Jack Ramsey had been omitted from the series and agreed Ramsey falls into tier six.

The post RECAP: The-Rink’s Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers appeared first on The Rink.

In usual preseason fashion, the Blackhawks only dressed a few regulars for the road matchup against the Capitals. The lines were as follows:

Quenneville – Carpenter – Perlini

Nylander – Kampf – Saarela

D. Sikura – Highmore – Wedin

McLaughlin – Nilsson – Versteeg

Gilbert – Boqvist

Koekkoek – Gustafsson

Dahlstrom – Beaudin

Delia

First period:

The early portion of the first period was not full of much excitement. Neither team was able to generate any meaningful offense. With both teams sitting many key players and it being the first game of the season, it was expected that the game would begin slow. 

However, at the 7:20 mark in the first period, the Blackhawks finally got it going. A nice play on the boards by the highly controversial winger Alexander Nylander led to an open pass from the young Swede to fellow Swede Erik Gustafsson. Gustafsson ripped a big slap shot on net and Aleksi Saarela got just enough on the shot to redirect the chance and get credit for the tally. 

The Blackhawks' first (preseason) goal of the 2019-20 season belongs to Aleksi Saarela! pic.twitter.com/9idGOa5q6c

— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) September 16, 2019

The Blackhawks took the 1–0 advantage into the first intermission in Washington without anything getting past goaltender Collin Delia. The Blackhawks also took their 11–6 shots on goal advantage into the intermission as well. 

Second period:

The second period opened up with the Capitals finally putting a shot past Delia. After the Capitals dug a puck out from behind the net, the puck ended up on the stick of defenseman Tyler Lewington. Lewington was only able to get a weak shot off toward the net, but Washington first round pick Connor McMichael slid a beautiful backhand pass to Damien Riat, who tied the game.

About two minutes after the opening goal for the home team, Nylander scored his first goal in a Blackhawks uniform. Adam Boqvist put a shot on net with no net front presence of any kind, possibly looking for a rebound. Right before the puck made it to the net, Nylander was able to get a stick on the low shot, corral the puck and finish off a backhand shot to give the Blackhawks the lead once again. 

Nylander gets on the board for #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/Racqd8GeTd

— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) September 17, 2019

Sadly, the 2–1 lead did not last for long. Roughly three minutes after Nylander’s tally, the Capitals capitalized (pun fully intended) on a power play opportunity. After a failed clearing attempt by the Blackhawks’ penalty kill, Washington kept it in and put the puck into the slot. Aliaksei Protas, from the slot, found a wide open Travis Boyd on the left wing faceoff dot and he buried the chance to tie the game at two apiece.

The 2–2 draw did not last either, as both teams traded goals in the early half of the period. This time, Protas was the beneficiary of a rebound chance from Beck Malenstyn and recorded his second point of the night to give the home team a 3–2 lead. The Capitals’ third goal came just over a minute after the equalizer. 

Despite the rally from the Capitals, the Blackhawks refused to go away easily. Just before the 13 minute mark of the period, Matthew Highmore was able to get a pass to Dylan Sikura in the offensive zone. Sikura attempted a shot on net, but the puck bounced toward the right wing boards where Boqvist picked it up. Boqvist batted the puck a few times in mid air, brought the puck under control and walked out from behind the net to Copley’s right side and fired a rocket over Copley’s left shoulder. The goal was Boqvist’s first of the preseason and tied the game at three each.

.@BoqvistAdam is a defenseman pic.twitter.com/A8NnM68CgJ

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) September 17, 2019

The Blackhawks showed resilience, responding after two quick goals by the home team, which is an excellent sight to see, even in the preseason. Not only was the score deadlocked, but each team had 19 shots on goal through two periods as well.

Third period:

The final frame of regulation played out very differently than that of the second period. Rather than both teams trading goals as they did in the middle frame, both teams buckled down defensively and did not allow the opposing team to score the potential game winning goal. 

There were a few quality chances during the period. However, neither team capitalized on power play chances or at five on five. The game required overtime to decide a winner. 

Overtime:

The overtime frame was just as exciting as one would hope. Early in the frame, the Capitals had a two on one opportunity but could not capitalize on the chance.

The best chance of the night for the Blackhawks came via a stretch pass from Nylander, who was very involved in this game. Nylander found Gustafsson at the opposing blue line before he found an open Ryan Carpenter, who had a breakaway from the blue line in. However, Carpenter could not convert on the chance.

Later in the overtime frame, after some sustained pressure by the Capitals, bulldozing forward Tom Wilson was able to dip his shoulder on Sikura and tuck the puck past Delia to give the Washington Capitals the 4–3 overtime win against the Blackhawks.

Quick hits:

• The kid with the blonde hair: Alex Nylander was very good in this game. He was all over the ice offensively, contributing a goal and an assist, and also showed off a beautiful stretch pass during the overtime period. Despite a brutal showing at the Blackhawks’ prospect camp, Nylander seems to have rebounded nicely entering actual game action. If Nylander continues to look like this during the preseason, there is a very good chance he gets a chance on the opening night roster. 
• Boqvist will be the real deal: The young Swede looked like a superstar with the puck on his stick. His goal said it all, as Boqvist was able to bat the puck out of mid air, control it and walk to the front of the net before ending the play with a snipe to the top corner of the net. There is zero doubt Boqvist is going to be a star in the NHL, but the moral of the story is that he should not be rushed. Let him do that all year in Rockford and, if need be, bring him up if he earns it or due to injury.

The Blackhawks jet off to Detroit to take on the Red Wings on Tuesday. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CST and will be broadcasted on NBCSCH+.

The post RECAP: Blackhawks fall to Capitals in overtime appeared first on The Rink.

Our series continues today with tier four, defined as a prospect seen as a bottom-six or extra forward, third-pairing or extra defenseman or fringe goalie.

As explained in the introduction piece, each eligible prospect in the system was rated by our staff panel before ultimately being debated to agree on a tier. Each prospect’s original rating average is listed in parentheses after their name, along with a brief synopsis of why they fell in the tier they did.

Players are listed in order of original rating average, with any ties being sorted alphabetically by last name.

Evan Barratt (3.5)

The 2017 third-round pick was one of the players our panel had the hardest time coming to a consensus on. Some felt Barratt is capable of converting his offensive firepower at the collegiate level to the professional ranks for a middle-six role, while some felt he will be nothing more than a serviceable depth piece in the NHL. Either way, Barratt brings a combination of skill and sandpaper the Blackhawks could use in their lineup down the road. The Bristol, Pennsylvania, native will return to Penn State in 2019–20, where he ignited for 43 points in 32 games last season.

Evan Barratt will return to Penn State for the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of Penn State Athletics)

MacKenzie Entwistle (3.667)

Since being acquired in the infamous trade that saw Marian Hossa’s contract dealt to Arizona, Entwistle has established himself as one of the Blackhawks’ most solidified prospects in terms of their future role. The 2017 third-round pick of the Coyotes has embraced the idea of being a bottom-six player at the NHL level and has adjusted his game to suit that role. After winning back-to-back OHL championships on the Hamilton Bulldogs and Guelph Storm and enjoying a breakout showing at the World Junior Championships, Entwistle will turn pro in 2019–20 to join what will likely be a youthful Rockford IceHogs lineup.

Guelph Storm forward MacKenzie Entwistle (left) battles for a puck at the Memorial Cup. (Photograph courtesy of Vincent Ethier / CHL Images)

Aleksi Saarela (3.833)

Saarela joins the Blackhawk organization this season after spending the last two in Carolina’s system. Originally a 2015 third-round pick of the New York Rangers, Saarela was part of the trade that saw Eric Staal leave the Hurricanes at the 2016 trade deadline. Since then, Saarela has spent the majority of his time playing for the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL, where he and his team won the Calder Cup last season. Saarela’s big shot helped him score 30 goals in 2018–19, but he likely will not reach a level like that in the NHL. If Saarela wants to have a lengthy NHL career, it will likely need to be in a depth role. Saarela will be given a chance to crack Chicago’s opening night lineup, but is more likely to start the season in Rockford to adjust to the Blackhawks’ system.

Aleksi Saarela joins the Blackhawks organization for 2019–20 after winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers. (Photograph courtesy of Patrick Gorski / Icon Sportswire

Josiah Slavin (3.833)

Slavin was another polarizing player among our panel members. With votes as high as tier two, he clearly is a player who has quickly grabbed the attention of some panelists despite being a seventh-round pick in 2018. Slavin’s rise in the USHL over the last two seasons and showings at the Blackhawks’ development camps have led some to feel he has the tools needed to be a legitimate contributor at the NHL level, playing a simple, but effective, pro-style game. Slavin, who is the younger brother of Carolina’s Jaccob Slavin, possesses a strong work ethic and displays leadership on and off the ice, which have helped his development thus far. The Erie, Colorado, native will head to play at Colorado College, where he will likely spend at least two years before turning pro. While he still has some developing to do, Slavin could very well turn out to be a diamond in the rough and have a successful NHL career, whether as a middle-six player or a depth option.

Josiah Slavin heads to Colorado College after splitting the 2018–19 season between Lincoln and Chicago in the USHL. (Photograph courtesy of Brad Repplinger)

Dennis Gilbert (4)

Gilbert is a perfect representation of a few players who our panel feels can be a solid NHL player, just likely not in a Blackhawk sweater. The Notre Dame product provides the physicality Chicago’s blue line pipeline lacks, but very well might not have a clear path to NHL ice time with all of the other young defensemen in the system who have higher upsides. Drafted in the third round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Gilbert turned pro in 2018–19 after three seasons with the Fighting Irish. The Buffalo, New York, native played in 63 games for Rockford, where he racked up 14 points, to go along with one game for the Blackhawks. Our panel was in full agreement Gilbert has the tools to be a reliable and rugged stay-at-home defenseman in the NHL, but most felt that would be elsewhere.

Dennis Gilbert tallied 14 points for the Rockford IceHogs in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Matthew Highmore (4)

Highmore is a bit of an interesting player in the group because of his circumstances. Most of our panel feels he has the tools needed to be an everyday bottom-six center in the NHL. However, injuries have hampered Highmore thus far in his career, washing out the majority of his 2018–19 season. The undrafted free agent signing played in 13 games for the Blackhawks in 2017–18, but managed just 12 games in 2018–19, all with Rockford. Despite his injury issues, Highmore has proven to be an effective scorer at the AHL level, posting 52 points in 76 games over two seasons with the IceHogs. Hopes are 2019–20 can be a fresh start for Highmore, but he will need to earn a spot in Chicago, as there is a slew of other players who could very well beat him out for depth roster spots.

Matthew Highmore enters 2019–20 looking to rebound from his injury-shortened 2018–19 campaign. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Kevin Lankinen (4)

The undrafted free agent signing came over to play in North America for the first time in 2018–19, splitting time with Indy in the ECHL and Rockford in the AHL. While he posted decent numbers with the IceHogs (2.50 goals against average and a .910 save percentage in 19 games), Lankinen took the world by storm for his native Finland in the World Championships, backstopping the Finns to the gold medal with sparkling numbers of a 1.50 goals against average and a .942 save percentage. His efforts quickly caught the attention of many in the Blackhawks’ fanbase, but he needs to show that ability on a consistent basis for an extended period of time for our panel to place him in a higher tier. Lankinen is expected to return to Rockford for 2019–20, where he will get a chance to show if he is truly the lights-out goaltender he was at the World Championships or if his heroics were just a flash in the pan.

The 2019–20 season will give Kevin Lankinen an opportunity to show if his heroic performance at the 2019 World Championships was his true self or just a flash in the pan. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Niklas Nordgren (4)

The 2018 third-round pick of the Blackhawks is an intriguing prospect because of his ability to score. However, his size is a bit of a question mark, as is his skating, which will definitely need to be improved if he wants to translate his production to the game’s highest level. Unlike the majority of prospects in the system, Nordgren has been limited in his participation in prospect camp over the past two summers, as he was injured early in the 2018 camp before being an off-ice participant in 2019. Nordgren has split time between HIFK’s main Liiga men’s team and the organization’s U20 team over the last two seasons. The Helsinki native tallied 26 points in 28 games between the two teams in 2018–19 and will return to HIFK for 2019–20. Nordgren’s development will be worth keeping an eye on, as he could become a scoring threat in the NHL if he pans out.

Niklas Nordgren combined for 26 points in 28 games in the HIFK organization in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of AOP)

John Quenneville (4)

The cousin of longtime Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville, John was one of three prospects to receive an identical rating from each member of our panel. Acquired earlier this summer in exchange for John Hayden, Quenneville will enter camp looking to earn a full-time job in the NHL for the first time. The 2014 first-round pick of New Jersey played in 33 games for the Devils in his time with the organization, spending the majority of that time playing for the Albany Devils in the AHL. After racking up 39 points in 37 AHL games last season, Quenneville appears ready to take the next step, but might have a hard time grabbing a roster spot in Chicago. Regardless, Quenneville should be able to be a decent depth piece at the NHL level in the future.

John Quenneville joins the Blackhawks organization after being acquired from New Jersey this summer. (Photograph courtesy of Ed Mulholland / USA TODAY Sports

Michal Teply (4)

Teply will be another intriguing prospect to keep an eye on as his career progresses. Selected in the fourth round this June by the Blackhawks, the noted playmaker will come to North America to join the Winnipeg Ice for 2019–20 after being chosen fourth overall by the Ice in the CHL Import Draft. The Czech Republic product posted 21 points in various Czech leagues in 2018–19 before racking up six points in four playoff games for the Bili Tygri Liberec U19 team. Teply has been a mainstay on the Czech Republic’s international teams growing up, representing his country in various tournaments in each of the past three seasons. The big-bodied winger will need to work on his skating and adjust to the North American game, but, if he can do those things, seems like he can be a depth contributor in the NHL.

Michal Teply will head to North America for 2019–20 to play for the Winnipeg Ice. (Photograph courtesy of the IIHF)

Lucas Carlsson (4.167)

The 2016 fourth-rounder made the transition to North America in 2018–19, playing 69 games with Rockford and tallying 33 points, after a lengthy career in the Brynas organization in Sweden. While generally known to be an offensive defenseman, Carlsson is capable of holding his own in his own end. Of course, being part of an impressive blue line pipeline in the Chicago system, Carlsson might have a hard time cracking the Blackhawks’ lineup in the future. Multiple members of our panel believe he has the tools needed to be a regular depth defenseman in the NHL, but would likely only be able to realize that potential in a different organization. As one panelist noted, Carlsson feels a bit like Ville Pokka in the sense he might be too good for the AHL but never be able to make it in the NHL given the situation he is in. The Swede is expected to return to a stacked blue line in Rockford in 2019–20.

Lucas Carlsson posted 33 points for Rockford in 2018–19. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Tim Soderlund (4.167)

Soderlund’s skill set lends itself to a bottom-six role, which is likely what he would need to be in order to have an NHL career. While Soderlund has looked good at both ends in his time playing in Sweden’s SHL over the last three seasons, he has not stood out much at Chicago’s prospect camps since being selected in the fourth round in 2017, though that is not an end-all, be-all setting. Soderlund will join Rockford for 2019–20, where he will get his first taste of the North American game. Sometimes compared to fellow Swede Viktor Arvidsson, Blackhawks fans should be cautiously optimistic about Soderlund’s future. If he can translate his game to North America, he should have a chance to establish himself as a reliable depth player capable of chipping in offensively from time to time.

After spending his whole career in Sweden, Tim Soderlund will come to North America for the 2019–20 season. (Photograph courtesy of Ola Westerberg / Bildbyrån)

Alexandre Fortin (4.333)

Once the “golden boy” of the Blackhawks’ prospect camps, Fortin has a well-known story that has led him to the professional ranks. Unfortunately for Fortin, it sometimes seems like he just is not getting the opportunity he needs to establish himself at the NHL level. After struggling with injuries in his first professional season in 2017–18, the undrafted free agent signing split time between Chicago and Rockford in 2018–19, posting consistent numbers at both levels. Fortin tallied three goals and three assists in 24 games for the Blackhawks and doubled his totals in 47 games with the IceHogs. Fortin has speed to burn, but the rest of his game will need to catch up to his feet in order to put it all together. Though there is still time for Fortin to earn himself a regular NHL job, he might be passed over for other options as time progresses. Fortin is another player who may be better off starting fresh in another organization to get the most out of his career moving forward.

Alexandre Fortin will look to grab a full-time roster spot in Chicago in 2019–20. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Stay tuned as The-Rink progresses up the ladder in its Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers.

The post The-Rink’s Blackhawks prospect pyramid: Blood, sweat and tiers, part three appeared first on The Rink.

IceHogs roster: Signed through 2019–20

Top to bottom for all three positions, here is the running list of players that are already signed on for the 2019–20 season or beyond for the Chicago Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs. AHL-only contracts specified for the players who are only eligible to play for the IceHogs or the ECHL’s Indy Fuel, without signing a contract with the Blackhawks.

Forwards

• Liam Coughlin
  • AHL contract
• Mackenzie Entwistle
• Alexandre Fortin
• Brandon Hagel
• Matthew Highmore
• Mikael Hakkarainen
• Reese Johnson
• Graham Knott
• Dominik Kubalík
• Philipp Kurashev
• Dylan McLaughlin
  • AHL contract
• Nick Moutrey
  • AHL contract
• Jacob Nilsson
• Nathan Noel
• John Quenneville
  • Acquired from New Jersey Devils
• Jack Ramsey
  • AHL contract
• Aleksi Saarela
  • Acquired from Carolina Hurricanes
• Dylan Sikura
• Tim Soderlund
• Mathew Thompson
  • AHL contract
• Kris Versteeg
  • AHL contract
• Anton Wedin

Defensemen

• Nicolas Beaudin
• Adam Boqvist
• Lucas Carlsson
• Carl Dahlstrom
• Dennis Gilbert
• Henri Jokiharju
• Slater Koekkoek
• Chad Krys
• Josh McArdle
  • AHL contract
• Dmitry Osipov
  • AHL contract
• Joni Tuulola

Goalies

• Collin Delia
• Kevin Lankinen
• Chase Marchand
  • AHL contract
• Matt Tomkins
  • AHL contract

With the Blackhawks making multiple trades over draft weekend, the potential for a few new names to be added to the list has come up. Notably, with the additions of Calvin de Haan and Olli Maatta to the Chicago defensive group, players like Boqvist and Jokiharju may be all but certainties to begin the year in Rockford with the IceHogs. While Boqvist still has the ability to return to the London Knights of the OHL, there is almost no benefit to that, since his best option is likely to begin developing his game and logging meaningful ice time against men, not teenagers.

Carl Dahlstrom lines up for a face off during a Rockford IceHogs game. (Photograph courtesy of the Grand Rapids Griffins)

Also becoming possible NHL-casualties of the de Haan and Maatta additions by the Blackhawks are bottom-pair defensemen Slater Koekkoek and Carl Dahlstrom. While both players would have to clear waivers in order to be sent to the IceHogs, the additions made by Chicago are creating a crowded NHL blue-line group with more than enough bottom-pair defensemen available to Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton. Dahlstrom and Koekkoek, while playing fine for their roles last season, are not the movers of the defensive needle that the Blackhawks need them to be. There is a potential for one or maybe both players to be traded, but if one is dealt, the other may find himself with the IceHogs early in the season.

Aleksi Saarela of the Charlotte Checkers playing in the Calder Cup Finals against the Chicago Wolves. (Photograph courtesy of the Charlotte Checkers)

In the trade with the Hurricanes, the Blackhawks sent Anton Forsberg and Gustav Forsling to Carolina and acquired de Haan and Saarela. In Saarela, the Blackhawks get a proven AHL-level scorer, as he has tallied 61 goals and 107 points in his 147 AHL games with the Charlotte Checkers. Saarela also notched 15 points in 17 Calder Cup Playoff games this year with the Checkers on their way to winning the Calder Cup. He has an outside chance of making the Blackhawks’ roster out of training camp, but more likely he will be the top-end goal scorer that the IceHogs have needed in recent years.

Dylan Sikura skates for the Rockford IceHogs last season. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Finally, on players that are signed through next season, the Blackhawks announced on Friday that they had reached deals with Sikura and newly acquired Quenneville, who they received from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for John Hayden in a trade on day two of the NHL Entry Draft. Both players entered the offseason as restricted free agents, and both signed identical deals worth a $750,000 annual average value over two years. Both contracts are two-way deals in the first season and one-way pacts in the second year. While it currently looks like both players have a better-than-not chance at making the Blackhawks’ roster, depending on training camp performances and possible free agent additions, one or both of Sikura and Quenneville could see time with the IceHogs next year.

IceHogs roster: Already gone

Not everyone fits into the future plans of the Rockford IceHogs, or reversely, the IceHogs do not always fit into every players’ future plans. For Rockford, there are already a few players from the 2018–19 squad who will not be re-signing with the club, let alone any North American team.

• Viktor Ejdsell — Farjestad BK (Sweden)
  • 2018–19 with IceHogs: 61 games, 12 goals, 17 assists
• Anton Forsberg – Carolina Hurricanes
  • 2018–19 with IceHogs: 32 games, 15-15-2, 2.64 goals against average, .919 save percentage
• Peter Holland — Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg (KHL)
  • 2018–19 with IceHogs: 21 games, seven goals, nine assists
  • 2018–19 total: 73 games, 27 goals, 38 assists
• Jordan Schroeder — Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
  • 2018–19 with IceHogs: 62 games, 19 goals, 26 assists
• Brett Welychka – Esbjerg Energy (Denmark)
  • 2018–19 with IceHogs: 18 games, 0 points, -4

Anton Forsberg guards the goal for the Rockford IceHogs last season. (Photograph courtesy of the San Antonio Rampage)

The major skaters lost leave a big hole in the carried-over offensive production from last year’s IceHogs squad. Holland and Schroeder were producers for Rockford late in the season as they pushed for a Calder Cup Playoff spot, and Ejdsell showed flashes in 2018–19 of the player he was supposed to be, but could not produce on a consistent basis. While Ejdsell is going back to Sweden, the Blackhawks did extend to him a qualifying offer to retain his NHL rights should he want to come back to North America.

The next biggest departure from the IceHogs is Forsberg. Leading the IceHogs in net along with Collin Delia last season, Forsberg has more than established himself as a solid goaltender at the AHL level. His NHL opportunities though have not been as productive as hoped. With Delia and Lankinen becoming more and more likely the No. 2 and 3 goalies on the Blackhawks depth chart, respectively, Forsberg’s spot with the organization was lost and a change of scenery will be best for him in Carolina.

IceHogs roster: Unsigned

While there is a larger number of players left unsigned that would more likely be in play for the Blackhawks, here is the list of remaining players left unsigned that are likely in play for the IceHogs and the Indy Fuel.

Unrestricted free agents

• Radovan Bondra
• Terry Broadhurst
• Andrew Campbell
• Brandon Davidson
• Blake Hillman **
• Luke Johnson **
• Anthony Louis **
• Andreas Martinsen
• Connor Moynihan
• William Pelletier
• Tyler Sikura
• Spencer Watson **

(**Did not receive restricted free agent qualifying offer)

Luke Johnson battles for a puck during a Rockford IceHogs game. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Adding to the list of unrestricted free agents are the four players that were left without restricted free agent qualifying offers. Johnson, Louis, Hillman and Watson were left without offers from the Blackhawks. While any of these players could re-sign with the organization once free agency opens on July 1, it is likely that no one from this list returns to the Blackhawks or IceHogs.

It was perhaps most surprising to see that Johnson was not extended a qualifying offer. Johnson played 15 games with the Blackhawks early on last season, notching just one assist, but was liked by then-head coach Joel Quenneville and his staff early on as a fourth-line option. In his AHL career, Johnson has 39 goals and 78 points in his 199 games with the IceHogs. With the incoming prospect class for Rockford and the returns of both Highmore (health) and Nilsson, Johnson’s spot with the organization became much like Forsberg’s.

Anthony Louis plays with a puck prior to a Rockford IceHogs game. (Photograph courtesy of the Rockford IceHogs)

Same can be said about Louis. After leading the IceHogs in scoring in the 2017–18 season, Louis failed to live up to his billing as one of the top scoring options for the IceHogs in 2018–19. Tallying 34 points in 74 games played, Louis had a lot riding on his shoulders for a team that had trouble putting the puck in the next on a consistent basis. He never got a shot at the Blackhawks’ roster during the regular season, but could get an opportunity elsewhere. In 157 AHL games with Rockford, Louis tallied 27 goals and 81 points.

This IceHogs roster will begin to take more shape as the summer roles along. The next edition will provide an even more clear picture as unrestricted free agency will be fully underway and the Blackhawks’ development camp will have come and gone. As the summer progresses, so will this list. Keep tuned in for edition 3.0 later in July.

The post Early edition: Rockford IceHogs 2019–20 roster 2.0 appeared first on The Rink.

Rockford IceHogs exit interviews

The Rockford IceHogs put a cap on their season with their annual end-of-the-year exit interviews. After finishing the regular season in seventh place in the AHL Central Division, the IceHogs missed the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second time in the last three years. Paired with the Chicago Blackhawks missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second year in a row, this year marks the first time since becoming the AHL affiliate of the Blackhawks that Chicago and Rockford both missed the postseason.

There are a number of reasons why there is not playoff hockey being played in Rockford this season: coaching changes, injuries, recalls and assignments of key players, etc., but the IceHogs simply could not support their stellar team defense with enough scoring on a regular basis to get them over the hump and into the Calder Cup Playoffs. The league’s best goalie group of Collin Delia, Kevin Lankinen and Anton Forsberg were regularly let down by the league’s lowest scoring offense. Rockford finished the season with a 30–2–2 record when scoring three or more goals in a game, while on the flip side, lost 19 games this year when holding their opponents to two or fewer goals in a game.

But let’s not beat a dead horse any longer.

Interim head coach Derek King

IceHogs head coach Derek King did pretty much as well as he could have been asked after taking over the IceHogs from Jeremy Colliton in early November. King inherited the reigns of a 6–3–3 IceHogs team on Nov. 6 and finished the season with a 35–31–10 record, a 29–28–7 record with King as head coach. As of Wednesday, King’s status with the organization is still undecided, but one would figure he managed his position well enough to be given a chance to remove the interim tag from his coaching position.

Dylan Sikura (46 games played, 17 goals, 18 assists)

One of the brightest spots for the IceHogs this season was Dylan Sikura‘s emergence as a force to reckon with at the AHL level. While his well-hyped arrival in the Blackhawks organization has not lived up to the billing at the NHL level (11 points in 38 NHL games, no goals), Sikura tied Peter Holland for the highest points per game rate for the IceHogs this season at 0.76 points per game. In his first full professional year, Sikura finished third on the team in scoring, having played nearly 20 fewer games than the other Rockford scorers in the top five. He also finished eighth in rookie goal-scoring with 17 tallies on the year. Sikura becomes a restricted free agent this summer after completing a two-year deal with the Blackhawks organization.

Jordan Schroeder (62 games played, 19 goals, 26 assists)

Veteran forward Jordan Schroeder had one of his best AHL seasons of his career in 2018–19 with the IceHogs. Finishing with a career-high 45 points, Schroeder was consistently one of the most relied-upon players for the IceHogs. Paired with Holland down the stretch of the season, Schroeder found scoring chemistry with his newly acquired teammate and it showed. Over his final 25 games of the season, Schroeder tallied 21 points, including a five-game point streak and four multi-point games. Schroeder becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer after completing his one-year deal with the Blackhawks organization. 

Henri Jokiharju (30 games played, two goals, 15 assists)

While there is some debate whether or not Henri Jokiharju actually needed to play with the Rockford IceHogs this season, it showed that his time in the AHL made an impact on him on the ice. Jokiharju finished second on the team in scoring for defensemen (excluding Darren Raddysh), having played half as many games as the leading scorer in Lucas Carlsson. Jokiharju logged heavy minutes with the iceHogs and played in all situations. His 0.57 point per game pace was the highest on the team for defensemen and his plus-7 rating was tied with Sikura for the best rating on the roster. Jokiharju will be joining Finland’s World Championships camp this Summer. Jokiharju has two years remaining on his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks.

Luke Johnson (53 games played, 18 goals, 13 assists) 

After starting the season with the Chicago Blackhawks, Luke Johnson joined the IceHogs in late November for the remainder of the season, save for two games in December. Johnson set new AHL career-highs in goals and points this season, playing all over the lineup. One of the more consistent players on the roster this season, Johnson’s physical aspect of his game seemed unchanged as his ability to score and generate scoring chances improved from last season. Johnson becomes a restricted free agent this summer after completing his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks organization.

Collin Delia (26 games played, 13–8–4, 2.48 goals against average, 0.922 save percentage)

Along with Sikura, another major bright spot for the IceHogs and Blackhawks this season was the continued improvement and development of goaltender Collin Delia. After joining the organization last season and ascending from the ECHL Indy Fuel to the Chicago Blackhawks in one season, Delia again played major roles for both the Blackhawks and IceHogs. Finishing this season with the second-best save percentage in the AHL, Delia, along with Lankinen and Forsberg, made up the best goaltending group in the league this season based on save percentage. Many have speculated that he projects to be the future No. 1 goaltender in the Blackhawks organization and if he continues his development trajectory, he will be. Delia signed a three-year, $3 million contract extension with the Chicago Blackhawks this season, which kicks in next year.

Dennis Gilbert (63 games played, five goals, nine assists)

Winner of the team’s ‘Most Improved’ award this season, defenseman Dennis Gilbert truly came a long way from the beginning of the season. His confidence grew as the year progressed and his ice time increased. At the beginning of the year, Gilbert seemed to do little more than throw his weight around on the IceHogs’ blue line. But as they year went on, he began to open up more in the offensive zone while continuing to be a menace defensively. Gilbert ranked third on the active roster for scoring defensemen and led the team with seven fighting majors. Gilbert has two years remaining on his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks.

Matthew Highmore (12 games played, three goals, six assists) 

The 2018–19 season could have been much different for the Rockford IceHogs had Matthew Highmore been healthy the full year. After tallying seven points over his first eight games of the year, Highmore was lost to a shoulder injury for nearly five months. He returned at the beginning of April, only to re-injure the shoulder and not finish the season on the ice for the IceHogs. Highmore had a lot of promise heading into this season, having set the AHL franchise rookie goal scoring record in 2017–18. Highmore probably would have been like Sikura was this season, up and down with the Blackhawks had he been healthy, but his games lost for the IceHogs truly had an impact across the board. Highmore has one year remaining on his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks.

Anton Forsberg (32 games played, 15–15–2, 2.64 goals against average, 0.919 save percentage)

Much of what was said about Delia before can be repeated for Anton Forsberg this season. Consistently under-supported offensively, Forsberg took the majority of starts for the IceHogs this season after beginning the year as the backup in Chicago. His .919 save percentage finished as the fourth-best in the AHL this season. Forsberg becomes a restricted free agent this summer after completing a two-year contract with the Blackhawks he signed in the summer of 2017.

Victor Ejdsell (61 games played, 12 goals, 17 assists)

It is hard to label Victor Ejdsell‘s 2018–19 season a complete disappointment, but the expectations on him heading into the year certainly did not help his cause. Many, including myself, felt Ejdsell had a better than 50–50 chance of making the Chicago Blackhawks’ NHL roster coming out of training camp. He did not, nor did he receive a recall to the Blackhawks all season. Ejdsell dealt with injuries at times this year and only recently had found his stride within the offense. He still can show flashes of the scoring and playmaking ability that made him an intriguing prospect for the organization, but putting it all together consistently remains his issue. Ejdsell becomes a restricted free agent this summer after completing his two-year entry-level contract that he signed with the Nashville Predators in May of 2017.

Andrew Campbell (64 games played, three goals, five assists)

While there was little chance he would suit up for the Chicago Blackhawks this season, Andrew Campbell did everything asked and expected of him for the Rockford IceHogs this season. As he mentions in his exit interview, there is more to be measured that just numbers for his success this season. He was named a playing captain for the AHL Western Conference at the AHL All Star weekend this year, a testament to his longevity and leadership at the AHL level. Campbell served as a sort of assistant coach for the IceHogs this season, providing a veteran leadership presence for a young locker room. Campbell becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer after completing his one-year contract with the Blackhawks organization.

Alexandre Fortin (47 games played, six goals, six assists)

After a quick two-game stint with the IceHogs to begin the year, Alexandre Fortin joined the Blackhawks for a generous portion of the season, skating in 24 games at the NHL level, before rejoining the IceHogs for the remainder of the season. At multiple points over the two years that Fortin has spent with the Blackhawks and IceHogs organizations, he as shown the abilities to be a dangerous speedster who can create space and scoring chances with his feet. His downfall is his ability to actually finish those chances. Over the final 21 games of the season, Fortin tallied just three points. The abilities are there, but putting them together needs to be the next step for Fortin. He has one year remaining on his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks.

Andreas Martinsen (38 games played, three goals, eight assists)

Another forward who played a good portion of his 2018–19 season with the Chicago Blackhawks before coming to the Rockford IceHogs, Andreas Martinsen was exactly as expected in his time with the IceHogs: a physical player who can now and again contribute offensively and provide a veteran presence in the locker room, same as his role last season with the IceHogs. The problem is that he has more than likely reached his ceiling with the Blackhawks and IceHogs organizations. Martinsen becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer after completing his one-year contract with the Blackhawks.

Tyler Sikura (50 games played, seven goals, 12 assists)

Similar to the season of Victor Ejdsell, Tyler Sikura‘s 2018–19 campaign was a let down. After playing his first full season in the AHL last year and finishing second in the team in goals and third in points in 2017–18, the elder Sikura failed to reach that productivity this season. Hampered by injuries for a while this year, Tyler was now and again the net-front presence he was last season, but did not reach his same ice time nor did he have the same opportunities on the power play that he had last year. Like Martinsen, Tyler has more than likely also reached his ceiling with the IceHogs organization. He becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer after completing his one-year contract with the Blackhawks.

William Pelletier (41 games played, seven goals, 10 assists)

Rockford’s 2018–19 ‘Man of the Year,’ William Pelletier bounced back from missing nearly half of the season due to injury to provide jump and energy into the lineup late in the season. Pelletier’s highlight of the year came from scoring back-to-back goals just 13 seconds apart against the San Antonio Rampage on April 2 to spark an epic comeback win. Unfortunately, those were his final two points of the season. Pelletier plays above his 5-foot-7 frame and can provide a bit of offense at the AHL level. He becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer after completing his one-year AHL contract with the Rockford IceHogs.

Terry Broadhurst (40 games played, four goals, eight assists)

Hampered by injuries this season, Terry Broadhurst‘s return to the IceHogs did not really live up to what both he or the team maybe would have hoped for. Broadhurst started hot with five points in his first eight games with the IceHogs, but tallied just seven more points over his other 32 games played this season. At 30 years old, it is unclear what the next step will be for Broadhurst in his playing career, as he becomes an unrestricted free agent after completing his one-year contract with the Rockford IceHogs.

Blake Hillman (54 games played, one goal, three assists)

In and out of the lineup for a portion of the season, Blake Hillman seemed to stall in his development in his first full professional season. After joining the organization late last season, Hillman looked like he might be in line for a shot at the NHL roster entering last summer. He never took that next step. Inconsistent with the puck on his stick, Hillman still has a lot of hockey ahead of him and could be brought back into the mix next season. He becomes a restricted free agent this summer after completing his two-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks.

Nathan Noel (46 games played, two goals, four assists) 

It is hard to get a true read on Nathan Noel. He has dealt with injuries the last two seasons with the IceHogs, but when healthy, he looks the part of a decent depth AHL player. He mixes speed, physicality and a good touch with the puck on his stick at times, but cannot find it consistently. He has one year remaining on his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks.

Josh McArdle (19 games played, one goal, two assists)

The first Rockford-area native to play for the IceHogs, Josh McArdle was a solid ECHL call-up for Rockford this season. He was able to step in during a thin stretch of the season for the iceHogs when they were dealing with injuries to the blue line. He played 33 games with the Indy Fuel in the ECHL this season, his first full professional season. McArdle becomes an unrestricted free agent after completing his one-year contract with the Rockford IceHogs.

Dmitry Osipov (Eight games played, zero goals, two assists)

A big-bodied defenseman like Dmitry Osipov was missing from the IceHogs roster for the majority of the season. While Gilbert and Campbell both weigh in at over 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Gilbert was the only true physical presence in the defensive group for Rockford. Osipov, coming in at 6-foot-4 and 234 pounds, provided a physical element that King wanted more of in his lineup. Osipov played in 66 games with the Indy Fuel in the ECHL this season, totaling 13 points. He becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer after completing his contract with the Indy Fuel.

Reese Johnson (Six games played, zero goals, four assists)

A late-season signing from the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL, Reese Johnson stepped into the IceHogs’ lineup late in the season alongside his Red Deer teammate Brandon Hagel and made an immediate impact. Johnson showed flashes of playmaking skill and a high motor in his small sample of AHL play. He looks to be a part of the IceHogs’ lineup next season as he begins he three-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks.

Brandon Hagel (Eight games played, zero goals, one assist)

Speaking of Hagel, the WHL’s fourth-leading scorer this season joined the IceHogs late in the year after signing as a junior free agent in October. While he only tallied one assist in his eight games with Rockford, Hagel’s scoring ability should make him a key figure for the organization to keep an eye on going into next season. He begins a three-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks next season.

Philipp Kurashev (Three games played, zero points)

Another late-season addition for the IceHogs this year was QMJHL standout Philipp Kurashev. After leading the Quebec Remparts in scoring this season, Kurashev joined the IceHogs for their final three games of the season. While not tallying a point in those three games, Kurashev’s 125 points over the last two seasons with Quebec, paired with him showcasing his abilities at the World Juniors this past January, make him an exciting prospect for the Blackhawks and IceHogs heading into the summer. He begins a three-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks next season.

The IceHogs’ 20th anniversary season did not end with another run at the Calder Cup, but it was far from unsuccessful.

https://twitter.com/goicehogs/status/1118597418000560128

For the depth of the Chicago Blackhawks organization, the IceHogs have plenty of players to be excited about for the future and be encouraged for how many of them are progressing in their careers.

What’s next?

A giant thank goes out to the great media and communications staff with the Rockford IceHogs for providing all the videos of the exit interviews.

The Calder Cup Playoffs begin this week, but not for the IceHogs. Stay tuned to The-Rink for more news and analysis on the Chicago Blackhawks organization, top to bottom, as the spring and summer roll along.

The post Rockford IceHogs 2018–19 season exit interviews appeared first on The Rink.

IceHogs complete comeback in overtime vs. Milwaukee

On a night where the physicality was turned up and Dmitry Osipov and even Collin Delia got into tussles, the IceHogs were able to keep their heads about them enough to come away with a win in their AHL-leading 26th game that went into the extra period of play.

The IceHogs got off to a fast start just 40 seconds into the game, as Luke Johnson ripped home his 17th goal of the season off a face-off won by Reese Johnson, now known as the “No Tears Line” (Johnson and Johnson products, get it?). Luke Johnson tied his AHL season-high in points with 30 on the game’s opening goal. From there, the Admirals would score three unanswered goals from Cole Schneider, Anthony Richard and a second-period goal from Justin Kirkland to give Milwaukee a 3–1 lead midway through the contest.

Looking for life in the second period, Anthony Louis won a board battle and Lucas Carlsson was able to skate the puck in between the circles and score his ninth goal of the season to cut the Milwaukee lead to 3–2. Carlsson’s first goal since Feb. 9 pulled the IceHogs within striking distance heading into the third period.

In the final period of regulation, the IceHogs grabbed control of the pace of play, out-shooting the Admirals 12–4 and finding the game’s equalizing goal from Sikura with 15:22 to play. Sikura’s 16th goal of the season was enough to tie the game and force overtime for the 26th time this season for Rockford.

In the extra period, the IceHogs again controlled the pace of play, continuing to cycle in and out of their offensive zone nearly at will against Milwaukee. With just over 90 seconds remaining, Sikura found space in the Admirals’ zone and fired home his 17th goal of the season and second of the game for the 4–3 overtime-winner.

Sikura, along with Reese Johnson and Carlsson all tallied multi-point nights for the IceHogs while Delia made 14 saves on 17 shots as his record improved to 13–8–4 this season. Delia has won six of his last eight starts for the IceHogs since March 1.

Since returning to the IceHogs on April 2, Sikura has five points in four games, including two multi-goal games. With 35 points in 44 games, Sikura ranks third on the IceHogs in scoring and his 0.80 points per game pace is tied with Peter Holland for the team lead.

Finally, two notes to finish the thrilling win. First, with the 4–3 overtime win, the IceHogs record this season when scoring three or more goals in a game improved to 30–2–2. Secondly, on a sour note, Matthew Highmore took a big hit in the first period and did not return to the game from then on. He suffered a shoulder injury in early November that required surgery and had just returned to the IceHogs lineup at the beginning of April. After the game, interim head coach Derek King said Highmore bruised up his shoulder but would be fine.

Calder Cup Playoff race

With the win on Tuesday night, the IceHogs move within one-point of a Calder Cup Playoff spot. Milwaukee earned a point to move to 84 points, which is also the maximum amount of points that the IceHogs could reach with two games remaining.

1. x- Chicago Wolves (73 games played) – 43–21–9 – 95 points (at Iowa, vs. Manitoba, vs. Manitoba)
2. Grand Rapids Griffins (73 games played) – 38–24–11 – 87 points (vs. Iowa, vs. Manitoba, at Milwaukee)
3. Milwaukee Admirals (74 games played) – 34–24–16 – 84 points (vs. Grand Rapids, at Rockford)
4. Manitoba Moose (73 games played) – 37–29–7 – 81 points (at Grand Rapids, at Chicago, at Chicago)
5. Iowa Wild (73 games played) – 34–26–13 – 81 points (at Grand Rapids, vs. Chicago, vs. Rockford)
6. Texas Stars (73 games played) – 36–29–8 – 80 pts (vs. San Antonio, at San Antonio, vs. San Antonio)
7. Rockford IceHogs (74 games played) – 35–29–10 – 80 pts (at Iowa, vs. Milwaukee)
8. e – San Antonio Rampage (73 games played) – 29–37–7 – 65 pts (at Texas, vs. Texas, at Texas)

x = Clinched Playoff Spot
e = Eliminated From Playoff Spot
(Remaining Games)

The Iowa Wild, Texas Stars and Manitoba Moose will all play at least one game before the IceHogs take the ice again, with the Wild and Stars playing twice. Rockford will pull for those three teams hopefully coming away with no points over those games to keep their playoff chances as high as possible in the Central Division.

What’s next?

The Rockford IceHogs are back in action on Saturday night, as they travel to take on the Iowa Wild, then return home for their season finale against the Milwaukee Admirals on Sunday night. Saturday’s puck drop is set for 6 p.m. Central Time at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. Rockford this season holds a 4–4–1 record against the Wild in their nine previous meetings. Sunday’s puck drop at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford is also set for 6 p.m. Central Time against the Admirals. Rockford this season holds a 5–5–1 record over the Admirals in their previous 11 meetings.

The post IceHogs keep playoff hopes alive with win over Admirals appeared first on The Rink.

IceHogs in the driver seat

It is a tall task to string together five wins in a row at any point in the season, let alone in the final five games of the year. For the IceHogs, winning the final five games of this season would all but lock them into a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs. The final five games this season are against teams that are above them in the Central Division, meaning each game has a possible four points on the line, rather than the usual two (in theory).

Rockford is first tasked with a Friday-Saturday set against the Texas Stars, a team the IceHogs have taken points from in four of the six meetings this season. Following that are road games against the Milwaukee Admirals and Iowa Wild, before closing the season at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford against the same Admirals on April 14. Depending on how the next week goes, that April 14 game against Milwaukee could every well mean the difference between making or not making the postseason for both clubs.

A couple of things that the IceHogs have going in their favor heading into the last stretch of the season include their AHL-leading goaltending and a shot in the arm offensively coming back from the NHL.

Rockford IceHogs goaltender Collin Delia makes a save against the San Antonio Rampage. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

First, the IceHogs continue to be at the top of the AHL when it comes to stopping the puck. Goaltenders Anton Forsberg and Collin Delia continue to sit atop the league leaders in save percentage this season. Forsberg’s 0.920 save percentage ranks fourth in the AHL among qualified goalies, while Delia leads the league with a 0.923 save percentage. Although he has not played since March 10, Kevin Lankinen‘s 0.911 save percentage this season is nothing to scoff at.

A key for the IceHogs will be the continued play in net from Delia and Forsberg down the stretch. Last season, Delia was the work-horse that led the IceHogs into the postseason and through the first two rounds of the Calder Cup Playoff run for Rockford. If he can duplicate that kind of success keeping the puck out of the net, Rockford will be able to win these meaningful games with the minimal goal support they have created for their goalies this season.

But, that brings about a second, and maybe more important, key for Rockford if they are to make the Calder Cup Playoffs and make some noise: the goal scoring. Rockford has been at or near the bottom of the AHL all season in creating goals and scoring chances this season. While some of it can be chalked up to some bad luck, the personnel the IceHogs have had to play with has not been littered with high-quality finishers for most of this season.

Rockford IceHogs forward Peter Holland awaits a face-off during a game this season. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

After losing Matthew Highmore early this season to injury, the IceHogs had to make up his depletion in goals. Players like Jordan Schroeder, Anthony Louis and Dylan Sikura did their best to pick up the scoring slack. But a cold streak from Louis and Sikura being up and down with the Blackhawks had stalled the offense.

But in the last half of the season, and more importantly the last few days, the IceHogs have been able to add firepower back into their offense. Making a trade for Peter Holland in January added a veteran player who can create and finish at the AHL to the Rockford offense. This season, Holland ranks ninth in the AHL in scoring with 62 points in 69 games, with 13 points coming in his 17 games with the IceHogs. His 62 points and 25 goals this season are new AHL career highs for Holland.

Rockford IceHogs forward Dylan Sikura fires a shot against the Grand Rapids Griffins. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

Along with Holland’s addition, the IceHogs benefitted from the return of Dylan Sikura to the lineup on Tuesday night after playing the better part of the last two months with the Chicago Blackhawks. On Tuesday night, Sikura scored his first two goals in nearly two months with a pair of tallies against the San Antonio Rampage.

This season with the IceHogs, Sikura ranks tied for third on the team in scoring with 32 points in 41 games. His 0.78 points per game pace is tied with Highmore for the highest on the team. The re-addition of Sikura into the lineup and getting Matthew Highmore back healthy should surely rejuvenate the Rockford offense, as was evident in the 5–3 win over the Rampage on Tuesday night.

William Pelletier named Rockford IceHogs’ ‘Man Of The Year’

On Wednesday, the AHL announced their list of every team representative for the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year awards. The awards are presented to players for their outstanding contributions to the local community and charitable organizations during the 2018–19 season.

Last season, Collin Delia was named the IceHogs’ ‘Man of the Year,’ and he is followed this season by William Pelletier. By being awarded the team’s ‘Man of the Year’ award, Pelletier is now in the running for the AHL’s Yanick Dupre Memorial Award for the league’s ‘Man of the Year’ title.

Rockford IceHogs forward William Pelletier skates onto the ice prior to a game this season. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

From the Rockford IceHogs:

“Pelletier spearheaded Rockford’s Brovember campaign this year, helping raise awareness and funds for the fight against men’s cancer. Pelletier’s father was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago and Will has since led the IceHogs locker room’s efforts in the Brovember initiative.

Pelletier and the IceHogs also took the lanes of Cherry Bowl on March 3 for the Hogs’ annual Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser. Brovember Inc. was the primary benefactor of the event, and the IceHogs players generously donated their time to help raise money for the local charity.

Overall, Pelletier helped the IceHogs raise more than $30,000 for the fight against cancer this season. That total includes more than $8,000 at the annual Bowl-A-Thon and more than $22,000 through Hockey Fights Cancer. “

Roster moves

On Thursday afternoon, the Chicago Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs announced a number of roster moves being made.

First, after being recalled to the Blackhawks on Wednesday and making his NHL debut for Chicago against the St. Louis Blues, defenseman Dennis Gilbert was re-assigned back to the IceHogs. Gilbert played 12:46 minutes against the Blues on Wednesday night, recording a team-high six hits in the process. Gilbert has played in 59 games this season for the IceHogs, recording 14 points and a team-high 65 penalty minutes.

Rockford IceHogs defenseman Dennis Gilbert carries the puck during an IceHogs game this season. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

Also announced on Thursday was the addition of Dmitry Osipov and Philipp Kurashev to the Rockford IceHogs. Osipov rejoins the IceHogs on a PTO contract after playing in four games for Rockford two weeks ago. As for Kurashev, he joins the IceHogs following his third full season in the QMJHL with the Quebec Remparts. In his QMJHL career, Kurashev has played in 183 games and has tallied 179 points.

Quebec Remparts forward Philipp Kurashev joined the IceHogs this week. (Courtesy: Quebec Remparts)

A fourth-round pick by the Blackhawks in 2018, Kurashev set his QMJHL career highs in goals (29) and points (65) this season. Adding Kurashev to the forwards group comes at a perfect time for head coach Derek King, as the team’s second-highest scorer in Jordan Schroeder went down with a lower-body injury on Tuesday night against the Rampage.

Calder Cup Playoff race

The Central Division at one point this season was a two-spot race with the first and fourth spots up for grabs. As the season has wound down, the Iowa Wild have hit a cold streak and the third-place spot is now in play for the final five teams searching for a Calder Cup Playoff position.

1. x – Chicago Wolves (70 GP) – 42–2–8 – 92 pts.
2. Grand Rapids Griffins (71 GP) – 38–23–10 – 86 pts.
3. Iowa Wild (72 GP) – 34–25–13 – 81 pts.
4. Manitoba Moose (71 GP) – 36–28–7 – 79 pts.
5. Milwaukee Admirals (71 GP) – 32–24–15 – 79 pts.
6. Texas Stars (71 GP) – 35–29–7 – 77 pts.
7. Rockford IceHogs (71 GP) – 33–28–10 – 76 pts.
8. e – San Antonio Rampage (72 GP) – 28–37–7 – 63 pts.

x – Clinched playoff spot
e – Eliminated from playoff contention

All five of the remaining games for the IceHogs come against teams ahead of them with two games against Texas, two games against Milwaukee and one game against Iowa left to play.

What is next?

The Rockford IceHogs are back in action on Friday night as they begin a four-game road trip. On Friday and Saturday night, the IceHogs travel to take on the Texas Stars. Both games are set for 7 p.m. CT puck drops at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park in Cedar Park, Texas. Rockford holds a 2–2–2 record against the Stars this season in six previous meetings. Texas sits one point ahead of the IceHogs in the Central Division.

The post Rockford IceHogs control their playoff destiny appeared first on The Rink.

IceHogs Numbers That Matter

74 – Points in the standings, currently, for the IceHogs heading into their final six games of the season.
A 32-28-10 record for Rockford so far this year.

3 – Point-differential between Rockford in seventh-place and the Texas Stars and Milwaukee Admirals who are tied for fourth-place in the Central Division.
*Reminder: the top four teams in each Division make the Calder Cup Playoffs. NO WILD CARDS.

168 – Goals scored by the IceHogs this season. The least in the AHL.

2.4 – Goals per game the IceHogs are averaging. Not surprisingly, also the least in the AHL.

15.2% – Powerplay percentage for the IceHogs this season, ranking 29th in the AHL.

The Rockford IceHogs celebrate Peter Holland’s overtime winner against the Cleveland Monsters. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

197 – Goals allowed by the IceHogs this season. Ranks 11th in the AHL

2.81 – Goals allowed per game by the IceHogs.

82.3% – Penalty-killing percentage for Rockford this season, ranking eighth in the AHL.

254 – Times short-handed for the IceHogs this season, ranking fifth-least in the AHL.

674 – Penalty minutes for the IceHogs this season, ranking 30th in the AHL.

.918 – Combined team save-percentage for the IceHogs this season, the best in the league thanks to Collin Delia and Anton Forsberg.

.925 – Collin Delia’s save-percentage this season, the best among qualified goalies in the AHL.

Rockford IceHogs goaltender Collin Delia makes a sprawling save against the Grand Rapids Griffins. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

0 – Number of shutouts by the IceHogs, so far this season.

2 – Number of games Rockford allowed more than 5 goals, so far this season.

1 – Number of games Rockford has scored more than 5 goals, so far this season.

18 – Number of losses (Regulation/OT) by the IceHogs in games they allowed 2 or fewer goals. Out of 38 losses this season, almost half have come in games that they have held their opponent under three goals. Otherwise known as “winnable” games.

Rockford IceHogs forward Jordan Schroeder (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

45 – Career-high in points set by Jordan Schroeder this season.

7 – Number of fights by Dennis Gilbert for the IceHogs so far this season. Gilbert’s seven fights ties Jake Dowell‘s seven fights in the 2016-17 season, and is four off the pace set by the entire IceHogs team in the 2017-18 season.

Roster Moves

On Tuesday afternoon, the Rockford IceHogs made two roster moves that should hopefully have a major impact on their team’s offensive production. First, the team announced that the Chicago Blackhawks had reassigned Dylan Sikura to the AHL. Sikura this season has played in 33 games with the Blackhawks and has tallied eight assists.

Mar 13, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks forward Dylan Sikura (95) skates with the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs in the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

For the IceHogs, Sikura has played in 40 games and has 30 points. He re-joins the team on a four-game point streak. Sikura has not played with Rockford since February 2.

Second announcement coming on Tuesday was that forward Matthew Highmore had been cleared to return to the lineup. Highmore, who set the IceHogs AHL franchise record for rookie goal-scoring last season, has been out of the Rockford lineup since mid-November. Highmore went down with a shoulder injury in November and underwent surgery to repair the damage.

Matthew Highmore of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

Before the injury, Highmore had seven points through his first eight games in Rockford. Highmore is expected in the lineup Tuesday night against the San Antonio Rampage.

Additionally for the IceHogs this week, WHL prospects Reese Johnson and Brandon Hagel made their professional debuts with the team.

Johnson, who was signed by the Blackhawks in early March, skated in 187 WHL games with the Red Deer Rebels and tallied 100 points in his Junior career. Johnson served as the Rebels’ Captain this season, tallying 53 points and finishing second on the team in scoring in his final year in the WHL.

Rockford IceHogs forward Reese Johnson. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

As for Hagel, who signed with the Blackhawks in late October, his final year with Red Deer was his most productive. Scoring 102 points to lead the Rebels in scoring, Hagel ranked fourth in the WHL overall. In four seasons with Red Deer, Hagel skated in 259 games and tallied 279 career points.

Rockford IceHogs forward Brandon Hagel. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

With the additions of Hagel, Johnson, Highmore, Sikura, and the hot-start for another rookie in Chad Krys (3 assists in 3 games), the Rockford offense may be getting more punch down the final stretch.

Calder Cup Playoff Race

Heading into their final six games of the season, the IceHogs have a tough draw as they face a three-point gap to get to the fourth-place spot in the AHL Central Division.

1. x – Chicago Wolves (70 GP) – 42-20-8 – 92 pts
2. Grand Rapids Griffins (70 GP) – 38-22-10 – 86 pts
3. Iowa Wild (70 GP) – 34-24-12 – 80 pts
4. Milwaukee Admirals (70 GP) – 31-24-15 – 77 pts
5. Texas Stars (71 GP) – 35-29-7 – 77 pts
6. Manitoba Moose (69 GP) – 34-28-7 – 76 pts
7. Rockford IceHogs (70 GP) – 32-28-10 – 74 pts
8. e – San Antonio Rampage – (70 GP) – 28-35-7 – 63 pts

x – Clinched playoff spot
e – Eliminated from playoff contention

Looking realistically at the final six games, Rockford would be well-off if they won five of those six games remaining. They are, essentially, not allowed to lose in regulation the rest of the season, given that their final six games are against Division opponents, with the final five games of the season coming against teams ahead of them in the standings.

What’s Next?

The Rockford IceHogs come off a weekend where they took a regulation win against the Grand Rapids Griffins and a regulation loss against the Milwaukee Admirals, and face the already eliminated from playoff contention San Antonio Rampage on Tuesday night.

The game closes a five-game homestand for the IceHogs, where they went 1-3-0 through the first four games. It will also be the second to last home game of the year for the IceHogs as they will play their following four games on the road before closing the regular season at home against the Admirals on April 14. Rockford holds a 3-3-1 record against San Antonio this season. Puck drop on Tuesday night is set for 7pm CT at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford.

The post Rockford IceHogs By The Numbers With Six Games Left appeared first on The Rink.

IceHogs Getting Healthy

As the IceHogs prepare to go into their final 17 games of the season, 16 of them will be against Central Division foes. With just four points separating fourth-place from eighth-place in the Central, every point and every player counts. Rockford faced the same kind of pressure last season, moving from sixth-place into fourth-place and sealing a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs in the second-half of the season. A big part of that late-season surge was forward Matthew Highmore.

Highmore has been out of action since mid-November with a shoulder injury and surgery, but has returned to the ice in the last few weeks. IceHogs head coach Derek King mentioned earlier this month that Highmore was progressing on schedule and if all goes to plan, should be available to return to the lineup by the end of March. Highmore had seven points through eight games to begin the season. Last year he ranked second in scoring with 43 points and set the IceHogs AHL franchise rookie goal-scoring record with  24 goals last season.

Matthew Highmore of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

Another IceHogs staple from the 2017-18 season that is set to return to health this weekend is forward Tyler Sikura. While his production has not been on the same level it was during the 2017-18 season, Sikura still provides a bit of veteran experience and a net-front presence that the IceHogs could use. This season, Sikura has 14 points in 33 games, but has missed the last two months with an upper-body injury. Rockford head coach Derek King will have Sikura back in the lineup as the IceHogs travel to Manitoba for back-to-back weekend games against the Moose.

Tyler Sikura of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

The returns of both Sikura and Highmore should provide the IceHogs with some offensive pop. Rockford ranks at the bottom of the league in goals-scoring, but has seen a recent increase with the production of Henri Jokiharju, Peter Holland and Jordan Schroeder coming through in the last handful of games.

The good thing about the AHL season this time of year is that not only will teams be able to rely on their own players to try to pull them through the final stretch of the season, they also can field a number of fresh faces as the NCAA and Junior Hockey seasons come to a close in the middle/back-end of March.

College Boys Making The Jump

While the IceHogs are benefiting from players returning to health from their own roster, it doesn’t rule out players ready to make the jump from the NCAA ranks to the Pro game. Players in recent years like Anthony Louis and Luc Snuggerud have made the transition after their final year of College Hockey and have made impacts right away. For more on NCAA players who could make the jump this Spring, I turn it over to The-Rink NCAA Lead Writer, Aaron Goldschmidt.

Fredrik Olofsson (Omaha-Nebraska: 32 GP, 10 G, 21 A)

Of all the players that could be ready for professional hockey this spring, Fredrik Olofsson probably fits the bill the most. After four years of college hockey at Omaha in the NCHC, one of the NCAA’s toughest conferences, the Blackhawks 2014 4th round selection has evolved his game in several different ways.

Blackhawks forward prospect Fredrik Olofsson of the University of Nebraska-Omaha. (Courtesy: Omaha Athletics)

After scoring 27 goals in the USHL with the Chicago Steel in 2015, Olofsson made his way to college hockey and would eventually change his position from wing to center. He’s always been a play-making forward, but he’s really rounded out his game during his time at Omaha. Having his best season of his college career, Olofsson has 31 points in 30 games (10G, 21A) this season. He’s been a big threat on Omaha’s powerplay and has also shown improvement in his puck control and physicality. Olofsson has always seen the ice well and had great patience with the puck which makes him a great candidate to sign pro after this season.

Ryan Shea (Northeastern: 33 GP, 3 G, 10 A, +17)

Ryan Shea, the Blackhawks 2015 4th round pick, is having a solid junior season with the Northeastern Huskies. Following his sophomore year where he racked up 17 points playing with top forwards Dylan Sikura, Adam Gaudette, and Nolan Stevens, it was unsure whether Shea would have the same offensive output with those players signing pro but Shea has remained consistent. With three goals and nine assists in 31 games this season, Shea is on pace to to as good as he was last year, including having a plus/minus over +15.

Blackhawks defensive prospect Ryan Shea of Northeastern Univeristy. (Courtesy: Northeastern Athletics)

Reporting on the Blackhawks prospects last year, I spoke with a Huskies blog often about Dylan Sikura who was the talk of the NCAA at the time. The writer for that blog would always ask me to keep my eye on Ryan Shea, especially at Blackhawks prospect camp. Although I believe Shea will return for his senior season, he could have a chance to contribute one day for the Blackhawks who have few “defensive-defenseman” in their system.

Beau Starrett (Cornell: 29 GP, 6 G, 5 A)

Beau Starrett is a player that the Blackhawks really could use, but he’s yet to light it up in college. Playing in his 4th year at Cornell, Starrett has never scored more than 14 points in a season despite looking relatively good in prospect camps. He has a large frame and can skate pretty well for a big man, but there isn’t one thing he does particularly well.

Blackhawks forward prospect Beau Starrett of Cornell University. (Courtesy: Thomas Labarbera)

A comparison may be someone like Graham Knott, although Knott was thought to have a much higher ceiling. The Blackhawks may give Starrett a shot at a pro deal since he was a third round pick, but it’s difficult to tell how effective he could be right away.

Liam Coughlin (Vermont: 29 GP, 6 G, 11 A)

Liam Coughlin could be a wildcard for the Blackhawks. The 2014 5th round pick has shown glimpses of serious talent, but he’s a streaky scorer. There is a lot of compete to Coughlin although it doesn’t show in his numbers. Many forwards have issues adjusting to pro hockey since many junior or college guys play top six situations for their teams, then have to step into 3rd or 4th line roles in the pros.

Blackhawks forward prospect Liam Coughlin of the University of Vermont. (Courtesy: Vermont Athletics)

I think this may be an advantage for Coughlin, taking some pressure off and letting him have some fun grinding. Coughlin can skate and also isn’t small at 6’3 200 lbs. I’d roll the dice on him to add some depth at the forward position.

Jack Ramsey (Minnesota: 35 GP, 3 G, 1 A)

Jack Ramsey is a senior at Minnesota and could give the Blackhawks something to think about at the end of this season. He won’t wow you with his points, but this is a heart-and-soul type player. Ramsey brings leadership, effort, and grit to the table, something the Hawks will never have enough of. Ramsey reminds me a lot of Andrew Desjardins. He won’t go nuts on the score-sheet, but he’s a smart hockey player that puts you in good position to score.

Blackhawks forward prospect Jack Ramsey of the University of Minnesota. (Courtesy: Minnesota Athletics)

There aren’t enough chip and chase players in the Hawks system who are willing to win pucks in corners and battle below the goal line. Ramsey can be a nice add especially in Colliton’s system.

Chad Krys (Boston: 25 GP, 7 G, 9 A, -8)

The Blackhawks 2016 2nd round pick Chad Krys has had a down year for his standards in his junior season at Boston University. He’s missed some time due to injury and hasn’t returned to his pace from last season where he scored 27 points in 36 games. Krys does a great job leading the breakout for BU and has the offensive ability to take over a game. He can be lethal on the powerplay and often finds scoring lanes from the left point. Although it will be a gamble for him, I think Krys returns to BU for his senior season.

Blackhawks defensive prospect Chad Krys of Boston University. (Courtesy: Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

There is no rush for him to get to the pros and he will get more opportunities next season to get his stock back up. People often talk about Adam Boqvist, Ian Mitchell, and Nicolas Beaudin, but Krys should be in that same conversation. His skill set rivals his fellow prospects and maybe one more season to mature his game could be what’s needed.

Juniors On Their Way Up?

It could end up being a packed house for the IceHogs if any of the NCAA prospects make the jump, but in the Junior ranks, the Blackhawks organization has a number of players who are at the age where a jump to the Pro game is the next step. For a look at those players in the North American Junior ranks, I’ll turn it over to The-Rink Juniors Feature Writer, Ron Luce.

Courtesy of NHL.com / Chicago Blackhawks

Brandon Hagel (Red Deer, WHL: 61 GP, 38 G, 54 A)

Brandon Hagel was signed in October by the Blackhawks. He was originally a draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2016.

Hagel brings a big frame (6’1”) and scoring touch to the IceHogs assuming he joins the club for a playoff push. The big winger can certainly bring some scoring touch to the offense-lacking IceHogs. As of March 7th, Hagel is tied for fifth in WHL scoring, with 92 points (38 G, 54 A) in only 61 games.

Assuming Hagel can carryover some of his offensive success in the WHL to the AHL, Hagel could be a welcomed addition. With Matthew Highmore being injured nearly the whole season, the IceHogs have lacked a game breaker at forward. Hagel certainly has provided hope as being that type of player.

Hagel has been very successful on a Red Deer team that will likely miss the playoffs. He would arguably be the biggest addition to the IceHogs as they look to have another playoff run similar to last season.

Mikael Hakkarainen (Muskegon, USHL: 35 GP, 17 G, 28 A)

Mikael Hakkarainen has had quite a unique season for the Muskegon Lumberjacks. It began with Hakkarainen leaving Providence College where he was set to play at the NCAA level, to return to the USHL club he played for last season. In his return, Hakkarainen has been nothing short of spectacular, as he sits fourth on the Lumberjacks in scoring, despite playing almost 15 fewer games than his teammates.

Muskegon Lumberjacks forward Mikael Hakkarainen. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Haakarainen, despite missing as much time as he did, is also still in the top-20 in USHL league scoring with 45 points (17 G, 28 A). The 6’0” 193lb center can add great skill for the IceHogs down the stretch. Since Haakarainen left Providence, he is able to go to the pros, which is the logical next step in his development if the Blackhawks are committed to him long-term. It makes a lot of sense for Haakarainen to join the IceHogs and gauge where he is in his development playing against men. The young Finn has made easy work of the teenage USHL competition he’s faced.

Haakarainen would provide play-making ability to the IceHogs. He has good size and can make plays in tight areas. He has been in numerous USHL highlight videos this year with his perfect passes and big goals for the Lumberjacks. Like Hagel, Hakkarainen is likely to join the IceHogs given his history and ability to play pro.

Josiah Slavin (Chicago, USHL: 45 GP, 17 G, 20 A)

Younger brother of Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin, Josiah Slavin has had a very strong season in the USHL. The Colorado College commit started the season with the Lincoln Stars, tallying 27 points in 32 games (10 G, 17 A). As the Stars began selling players off, the Chicago Steel acquired the Blackhawks prospect and he has 10 points in 13 games since being acquired by Chicago (3 G, 7 A).

Photo by: Jeff Osborn/The-Rink

With Slavin’s impending commitment to Colorado College and the NCAA, it’s uncertain if he will join the IceHogs. If he is allowed to join the IceHogs on an amateur tryout contract (ATO), he could possibly provide some nice depth for the IceHogs. He isn’t as prolific a scorer as Hagel or Hakkarainen, but he still brings a lot of skill to his team. Slavin’s size is comparable to that of Hakkarainen, so he has solid size to compete at the AHL level.

However, I believe it is safe to assume that Slavin will not join the IceHogs and prepare for his fall season at Colorado College, where Aaron Goldschmidt will happily cover the Colorado native.

Philipp Kurashev (Quebec, QMJHL: 55 GP, 27 G, 34 A)

Philipp Kurashev really jumped onto the prospect scene when he had an incredible World Juniors tournament for Team Switzerland. The 20-year old center has been sensational this season, pacing the Remparts in team scoring. Early in the season, Kurashev was a top scorer in the QMJHL. However, Kurashev has fallen off a bit of late, but nonetheless is still having a great year.

Quebec Remparts forward Philipp Kurashev. Courtesy: Quebec Remparts)

Kurashev paces the Remparts in scoring with 61 points in 55 games (27 G, 34 A). The next closest scorer on the team has played eight more games and has 15 fewer points than Kurashev. It’s no surprise the team hasn’t had as good of a season as they may have hoped, since Kurashev is the only player with more than 20 goals on the roster.

The Remparts could always make a run in the QMJHL tournament and prevent Kurashev from joining the IceHogs. Given his age, Kurashev will likely play with Rockford next season, so it would be intriguing to see what he can do in the AHL. He hasn’t dominated the juniors like Hagel has, so it’s uncertain if the over-ager will produce at the pro level. If the young Swiss forward performs like he did in the World Juniors tournament, he could become a nice top-9 forward in the NHL down the road.

Two players that are not described above are Jake Ryczek and Reese Johnson. Ryczek is a former seventh round pick, and has been in the QMJHL since being drafted. He is currently playing on the third defensive pairing for the Halifax Mooseheads. One would hope a player like him, if going to make an impact, would make more of an impact for his junior team when he is 21 years old.

Reese Johnson is certainly a candidate to join the IceHogs late in the year with WHL teammate Brandon Hagel. Since Johnson is a new signing, we did not include a report on his prospects of joining the IceHogs, although it is likely given his age and situation. Johnson is the Captain in Red Deer and has second in scoring with 45 points in 62 games this season.

What’s Next?

The Rockford IceHogs are back in action on Saturday and Sunday as they take on the Manitoba Moose in a weekend double-header in Manitoba. After a week off, the IceHogs take on the Moose in back-to-back weekend games in Manitoba on March 9 and 10. Saturday’s puck drop is set for 6pm CT, while Sunday’s puck drop is set for 2pm CT at Bell MTS Place. Rockford holds a 1-0-1 record against the Moose this season.

The post IceHogs Late-Season Reinforcements On Their Way? appeared first on The Rink.

IceHogs Hoping To Break Three-Game Losing Streak Over Weekend

The Rockford IceHogs need to focus on one thing to find success this weekend: Score.

Simple, right?

Ranking last in the AHL in goals scored this season with 93, the IceHogs goals per game rate is a lowly 2.27. The next lowest in the league belongs to the Manitoba Moose with a 2.52 goals per game rate.

The IceHogs have benefitted all season from above-average to stellar goaltending all season. From Collin Delia leading the AHL in save-percentage and GAA at different points early on this season, to Kevin Lankinen and Anton Forsberg both clocking in with save-percentages above 0.910 this season, Rockford has been kept in games based on the play in-between the pipes on a consistent basis. But giving goalies an average of just over two goals per game will rarely win you many hockey games.

Dylan Sikura of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

Leading the IceHogs offense this season has come by committee with Dylan Sikura, Anthony Louis, and Jordan Schroeder leading the way. Louis leads the team in overall points with 25 this season, while Sikura leads the team in goals with 11. Sikura and Louis, along with Jacob Nilsson are the only three players to score double-digit goals this season. Last season, the IceHogs finished the season with eight players scoring double-digit goals.

The most glaring difference in this season compared to last is who the IceHogs are missing from their roster: last season’s goal-leader Matthew Highmore. Early in the season, Highmore went down with a shoulder injury that required surgery and was given a four-to-six month timetable for return in mid-November. In the eight games he played this season, Highmore tallied seven points and was showing early on why he was one of the last cuts from Chicago Blackhawks training camp.

Matthew Highmore of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Rockford IceHogs)

If the IceHogs are going to find success against two of the top teams in the AHL Central Division this weekend, they will have to light the lamp more than their 2.27 goals per game average. The Wolves lead the division with 50 points this season, followed closely by the Griffins and Iowa Wild, both with 49 points this season. The Wolves are tied with the Charlotte Checkers for the most goals scored this season (146) and the Griffins rank 14th in the AHL (126). Chicago averages 3.65 goals per game and the Griffins clock-in at 3.07 goals per game.

Roster Updates

Only one move since the last update as Matheson Iacopelli was recalled by the IceHogs from the Indy Fuel. Iacopelli played in 3 games with the Fuel during his assignment, but recorded no points. This season with Rockford, Iacopelli has 4 points (2 G, 2 A) in 25 games played.

What’s Next?

The Rockford IceHogs return to action on Friday night to kick-off back-to-back games in the state of Illinois over the weekend. Starting Friday night in Rockford, the IceHogs host the Grand Rapids Griffins. Puck drop at the BMO Harris Bank Center is set for 7pm CT. Rockford holds a 2-3-0 record against the Griffins so far this season.

Following Friday night’s home game, the IceHogs head to Rosemont to take on the Chicago Wolves on Saturday night. Another installment of the Illinois Lottery Cup Rivalry is set for a 7pm CT puck drop at the Allstate Arena. This season, the IceHogs hold a 3-3-1 record against the Wolves with the road team holding a 6-0-1 record in the series.

The post IceHogs Look To Break Out Of Three-Game Slump appeared first on The Rink.

Matthew Highmore Undergoes Shoulder Surgery

On Friday morning, the Rockford IceHogs announced through their Team Physician that Matthew Highmore had underwent surgery to repair an injured shoulder and would miss the next four-to-six months of action.

This from the Rockford IceHogs’ Team Physician:

For the IceHogs, losing Highmore effectively for the rest of the regular season, is a huge loss. Last season, Highmore finished second on the team in scoring with 43 points, and set the IceHogs’ AHL rookie goal-scoring record with 24 goals. He also recorded two goals and seven assists for Rockford in the Calder Cup Playoffs last year.

Highmore made his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks last season as well, skating in 13 games and tallying his first two NHL goals.

Mar 15, 2018; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks forward Matthew Highmore (36) skates behind the Winnipeg Jets net during the third period at Bell MTS Place. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Starting this season right where he left off, Highmore was pacing the IceHogs in scoring before suffering an injury to his right shoulder. With the change behind the bench with the Blackhawks, one could have figured that Jeremy Colliton, a fan of Highmore’s last season in Rockford, would have liked to have called-up the versatile center, had he been healthy.

Last season, Colliton used Highmore on both the powerplay and the penalty-killing units, as well as giving him a large chunk of ice-time every night and playing him in high-pressure situations. The loss of Highmore leaves a big spot to fill on and off the ice for the IceHogs.

What’s Next?

The Rockford IceHogs continue their current road-trip this weekend with back-to-back games in the Heart of Texas. On Friday night, the IceHogs take on the Texas Stars in a rematch of last year’s Calder Cup Western Conference Finals. After that, the IceHogs head out to take on the San Antonio Rampage on Saturday night. Both puck drops are scheduled for 7:00pm CT.

Rockford completes a six-game road trip on Tuesday night, with another contest against the San Antonio Rampage. Puck drop on Tuesday is also set for 7:00pm CT.

The post Matthew Highmore To Miss 4-6 Months After Surgery appeared first on The Rink.

Rockford IceHogs Look To Bounce Back

After only coming away with one point in the standings out of a possible four points last weekend, the IceHogs have a great opportunity to gain ground back in the Central Division as they play the Milwaukee Admirals and Iowa Wild for three games in three days. The IceHogs will travel to Milwaukee to take on the Admirals on Friday night before playing a home-and-home series against the Iowa Wild.

The IceHogs come into the contest dealing with some injury issues to a number of their key early season contributors and are potentially out for the weekend action. Matthew Highmore, Jordan Schroeder, and Carl Dahlstrom have all missed time recently due to injuries with Dahlstrom and Highmore exiting the IceHogs’ last game against the Manitoba Moose. In response, the IceHogs recalled forwards Brett Welychka and Radovan Bondra in recent days to fill the roster spots left by Highmore and Dahlstrom, figuring that those players may be out an extended period of time.

With two of their top point-producers out, the IceHogs will need to find more scoring out of their depth players to gain ground early on in the Central Division. Both Dylan Sikura and Tyler Sikura lead the team in points along with Highmore at seven a piece, but no other player is above a 0.70 point-per-game pace on the team besides Schroeder, who is still out. Victor Ejdsell has come around lately after a slow start to the season and could provide the offensive spark the IceHogs need.

Rockford boasts one of the best goaltending duos in the AHL with Collin Delia and Anton Forsberg tending net. For Delia, in six starts he holds a 4-1-1 record with a 2.64 GAA and a 0.925 save-percentage and will figure to get at least one game over the weekend. The other two games may end up falling to Forsberg, who made his IceHogs debut last week. Even though in a loss, Forsberg made 25 saves on 27 shots faced in his lone start in the AHL so far this season. Expect Rockford head coach Jeremy Colliton to give Forsberg two of the three starts to get him up to game speed after only playing one game, NHL or AHL, since the beginning of the year.

Milwaukee Admirals Report

The Milwaukee Admirals welcome the IceHogs into Milwaukee holding the best record at the top of the AHL Central Division. At 8-1-2, the Admirals hold 18 points in the standings and a 0.818 point-percentage which is 5 points ahead of the second-place Chicago Wolves. Milwaukee also has played the most games in the division heading into Friday night’s contest.

The Admirals hold the 11th ranked powerplay unit in the AHL with a 22.0-percent success rate, and rank third-best in the league on the penalty-kill with a 90.0-percent kill-rate. Expect the Admirals and IceHogs to both be dangerous on special teams Friday night on both ends of the ice, but that could effectively cancel each team’s strength out.

Milwaukee is paced in scoring by defenseman Matt Donovan with 12 points (6 G, 6 A) in 11 games played this season with fellow defenseman Frederic Allard behind him on the active roster with 10 points (G, 9 A) this season.

In net, the Admirals are led by Troy Grosenick and Tom McCollum. McCollum holds a 5-1-2 record with a 2.44 GAA and 0.913 save-percentage, while Grosenick has three games started this season and a perfect 3-0-0 record. Grosenick, recently returned from the Nashville Predators, has a 2.60 GAA and a team-leading 0.918 save-percentage.

Iowa Wild Report

The Iowa Wild also come into the weekend slate ahead of the IceHogs in the standings with a 5-2-0 record in their first seven games. With 10 points in the standings and a 0.714 points-percentage, the Wild sit third in the division based on the point-percentage ahead of the IceHogs and Manitoba Moose, who both also hold 10 points. As of Friday, the Wild have played the fewest games of AHL Central Division teams but will be on their own three games in three days trip like the IceHogs.

On special teams, the Wild have the most dangerous powerplay unit in the AHL with a staggering 38.5-percent success rate on the man-advantage. Iowa has the fewest amount of powerplay chances in the AHL with just 26, but have converted on 10 powerplays over their seven games. On the penalty-kill, the Wild rank 16th in the league with an 80.6-percent kill-rate. The IceHogs hold the 4th ranked penalty-kill in the AHL and it will be put to the test if they find themselves in the box against Iowa.

The Wild are paced in scoring by a trio of Luke Kunin, Cal O’Reilly, and rookie Mason Shaw, all with seven points to start the season. The Wild also have four players tied with six points each behind their top three scorers. Iowa has a good way of being dangerous from multiple points on the ice.

In net, the Wild are led by Andrew Hammond with six starts this season out of seven games. Hammond holds a 5-1-0 record with a 2.64 GAA and a 0.915 save-percentage. The other start in net for the Wild came from rookie Kaapo Kahkonen, holding an 0-1-0 record with a 3.13 GAA and a 0.893 save-percentage.

What’s Next?

The next three days are packed with action for the Rockford IceHogs, starting on Friday night. Travelling North to Milwaukee, the IceHogs take on the Milwaukee Admirals on Friday night at the UW Panther Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pm CT.

After facing the Admirals, the IceHogs return home to begin a home-and-home series with the Iowa Wild. Saturday’s game is scheduled for a 6:00pm CT puck drop at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford.

Finally on Sunday, the IceHogs and Wild play the back-end of their home-and-home series. Sunday’s puck drop is scheduled for a 5:00pm CT start at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

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Rockford IceHogs Struggle To Score In Weekend Slate

Coming off of a 5-2 win over the San Antonio Rampage on Wednesday, the IceHogs had a decent amount of offensive momentum heading into their weekend slate against the Monsters and Moose. With the 5-2 win, the IceHogs had scored three or more goals in five-straight games, notching five goals three times over that stretch, and having a five-game point-streak going as well. But Rockford wasn’t able to continue that hot-stretch as Cleveland and Manitoba were both able to hold the IceHogs to just one goal a piece, and just one point out of a possible four over the weekend.

After being scratched against the Tucson Roadrunners on Oct. 20, Victor Ejdsell has been able to find his way back into the IceHogs lineup and back onto the score-sheet. Ejdsell tallied two goals against the Rampage and followed that up with the IceHogs’ lone goal against the Monsters on Saturday, coming on the powerplay.

The lone Ejdsell goal wasn’t enough to help Anton Forsberg on Saturday night as he was making his IceHogs debut. Forsberg, facing his former team that he helped win a Calder Cup with, made 25 saves on 27 shots faced in his first game with Rockford since joining the Blackhawks organization.

Hoping to get back on track to close out the weekend, the IceHogs were able to force extra time against their Central Division foe Manitoba Moose on Sunday. Thanks to a second period goal from Andrew Campbell, his first goal of the season, the IceHogs were able to tie up the Moose 1-1. Collin Delia got the start in net for the IceHogs against the Moose, making 36 saves on 37 shots faced in his sixth appearance of the season, helping back-stop Rockford into the shootout.

Rockford would go scoreless in the shootout with attempts from Ejdsell, Anthony Louis, and Dylan Sikura all denied by Moose goaltender Mikhail Berdin. Manitoba’s Seth Griffith was able to get the only shootout goal past Delia for the 2-1 win.

The weekend slate didn’t turn the results that the IceHogs would have wanted, especially dropping three of four possible points early-on in the season. With the regulation loss on Saturday and shootout loss on Sunday, the IceHogs now sit at 4-3-2 on the season, with 10 points in the standings and a 0.556 point-percentage, tied with the Texas Stars for 4th in the AHL Central Division.

Anton Forsberg Makes Rockford IceHogs Debut

In his first AHL action since the Spring of 2017 and his first full game of the season, Anton Forsberg returned to an AHL net on Saturday night with the Rockford IceHogs. After being sent down from the Chicago Blackhawks due to the return to health by Corey Crawford, Forsberg was put into the starting role on Saturday and gave the IceHogs a better than decent chance to get a win, making 25 save son 27 shots. For his career, Forsberg has a 73-36-10 record in the AHL with a career 2.22 GAA and 0.923 save-percentage.

With Crawford returning to health, Forsberg and the Blackhawks organization find themselves in a bit of an odd situation with three goalies in the system who are all NHL-caliber players. There just isn’t room in net for all three, given the fact that Cam Ward was given a no-movement clause in his one-year deal with Chicago. For now, Forsberg finds himself in Rockford spliting time with Collin Delia.

Kevin Lankinen Assigned, Brett Welychka Recalled

Speaking of the goalie situation in Rockford, the IceHogs announced on Monday that they had recalled forward Brett Welychka from the Indy Fuel of the ECHL and assigned goaltender Kevin Lankinen to the Fuel.

Two AHL/ECHL moves announced. #Icehogs #IndyFuel pic.twitter.com/KN5YNXhAf2

— The Rink – Hockey coverage (@TheRinkOfficial) October 29, 2018

Lankinen was 0-1-1 with a 3.39 GAA and 0.825 Save-percentage with the IceHogs this season and will now split time with Matt Tomkins in net for the Fuel. Welychka, a former two-time OHL champion with the London Knights and Summer signing from Carleton University in Canada, joins the IceHogs after five games with the Fuel. In his first professional season, Welychka has four points (2 G, 2 A) in five games in the ECHL.

Injury Woes?

While the losses on the scoreboard hurt the IceHogs early in the Central Division standings, the losses on the ice may hurt Rockford even more in the short-term. On Sunday night against the Moose, both defenseman Carl Dahlstrom and forward Matthew Highmore exited the game with injuries.

Carl Dahlstrom left today's #IceHogs game with a groin injury. Matthew Highmore's injury is a shoulder, per Jeremy Colliton. He gave no timetable on either player at this point. #Blackhawks

— ChrisBlock (@ChrisBlock) October 28, 2018

Highmore helps lead the team in points, tied with the Sikura brothers with seven points through nine games, while Dahlstrom is a major minutes-eater for Rockford and plays in all situations on the ice.

Two major contributors to the IceHogs on both ends if the ice, losing both Dahlstrom and Highmore could put Rockford in a bind early on in the season. Luckily for the IceHogs and head coach Jeremy Colliton, the depth of both the forward and defensive groups should provide some relief when looking down the bench for replacements.

Rockford IceHogs After 9 Games

With a nearly week-long stretch between games for the IceHogs, here is how the team shapes up after the first nine games of the season.

Standings

AHL Central Standings 10-29-18

Points Leaders

1. Matthew Highmore: 7 points (3 G, 4 A)
2. Tyler Sikura: 7 points (4 G, 3 A)
3. Dylan Sikura: 7 points (2 G, 5 A)

Goaltenders

1. Collin Delia: 6 GP, 4-1-1, 2.64 GAA, 0.925 Save%
2. Anton Forsberg: 1 GP, 0-1-0, 2.07 GAA, 0.926 Save%

Special Teams Ranks

• Powerplay: 13th in AHL, (9-42, 21.4%)
• Penalty-Kill: 5th in AHL, (33-38, 86.8%)

What’s Next?

The Rockford IceHogs are off until Friday when they travel to Milwaukee to take on the Milwaukee Admirals. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm CT at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee.

Friday night’s game is the first of three games in three days for the IceHogs next weekend as they face the Admirals and Iowa Wild. Rockford plays a home-and-home series with the Wild over the weekend with Saturday’s game at home in Rockford and Sunday’s game in Iowa.

The post Rockford IceHogs Salvage One Point Over Weekend appeared first on The Rink.

The trio of forwards skated as the Blackhawks’ fourth-line in Tuesday night’s loss to the Red Wings and return to the IceHogs, having all finished last season with Rockford in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

IceHogs Add Firepower As Blackhawks Make Roster Cuts

Head Coach Jeremy Colliton and the IceHogs are getting a welcomed gift of offensive firepower from Chicago after the most recent round of training camp cuts. All three forwards make up some of the more promising prospects in the Blackhawks’ system.

CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 23: Alexandre Fortin #84 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets during a preseason game at the United Center on September 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blue Jackets defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

This marks Alexandre Fortin’s second extended stay with the Blackhawks during training camp in his third go-around with the team in September. This preseason, Fortin showed off his speed again, creating chances offensively but still showing that his game needs to fully round out.

Not far from an NHL opportunity, Fortin returns to the IceHogs for his second season after playing in 53 games and tallying 21 points (4 G, 17 A) as a rookie last year. A fully healthy Fortin figures to be in the Top-Six forward mix for the IceHogs.

Mar 15, 2018; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks forward Matthew Highmore (36) skates behind the Winnipeg Jets net during the third period at Bell MTS Place. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Matthew Highmore continues to progress as a professional on and off the ice. He played in 13 games last season with the Blackhawks, playing on the wing, even though his natural position is at Center. He came into this Summer playing primarily wing again, but was used at Center against the Red Wings between Fortin and Ejdsell.

Tallying a goal in his final preseason appearance for the Blackhawks, Highmore brings an all-around game to the table and has the ability to play in all facets of a game, powerplay, penalty-kill, wing or center, Highmore can plug-in and play. He returns to the IceHogs after setting the AHL Franchise rookie record for goals (24) and finishing second in points (43), he will likely be the Top-Line Center for the IceHogs to start the season.

Sep 18, 2018; Columbus, OH, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Victor Ejdsell (17) looks to pass against Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Dillion Simpson (79) during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Finally, the more surprising, but at the same time not so surprising roster cut of Victor Ejdsell. Coming into training camp, Ejdsell was penciled in by most (including myself) to be in the Blackhawks’ top-nine forwards group. His performance at the end of last season, mixed with his work in the Traverse City Rookie Tournament gave him a boost over the Summer. But his development through training camp appears to have plateaued at the moment and other players have surpassed his play as camp moved along.

Still, with less than 25 games in North America under his belt, Ejdsell has a lot more to learn about playing in the NHL and the AHL. He will no doubt be in the Top-Line mix for the IceHogs, and if he can build on the production he found in the Calder Cup Playoffs last season (12 points in 13 games) he will no doubt find his way back to Chicago soon enough.

What’s Next?

Rockford’s training camp continues on as the IceHogs host their Fan Fest on Friday, September 28, which will showcase an inter-squad scrimmage. Rockford opens their 20th professional regular season on the road against the Cleveland Monsters on Friday, October 5.

The home-opener is slated for Saturday, October 13 as they host the team that ended their season last year in the Calder Cup Western Conference Finals, the Texas Stars.

The post Blackhawks Assign Highmore, Fortin, Ejdsell to IceHogs appeared first on The Rink.

Matthew Highmore Sets Goal-Scoring Record In Rookie Season

Highmore joined the IceHogs after a relatively promising showing in the summer Development Camp and rookie tournament in Traverse City. After beginning the season with five points in the first three games, Highmore began to level off into a consistent contributor for Rockford. In November, he notched his first of two hat-tricks last season, the second of the two coming a month later in late December.

Matthew Highmore takes a shot against the Bakersfield Condors. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

After Vince Hinostroza and Erik Gustafsson were originally named to the AHL All-Star Weekend, Highmore, along with teammate Carl Dahlstrom, were named AHL All-Star Weekend replacements for the IceHogs.

Highmore not only made his professional debut with the IceHogs last season, but also made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks on March 1. In 13 games with Chicago last Spring, Highmore tallied two goals, with his first NHL goal coming against the Bruins on March 10.

The experience in the NHL showed for Highmore upon his return to the IceHogs in late March, finishing the final eight games of the regular season with eight points en route to 24 goals and 19 assists on the season. He finished second on the IceHogs in scoring with 43 points, one behind team-leader Anthony Louis.

Final Season Grade: A-

In the Calder Cup Playoffs, Highmore continued to be one of the key contributors for Rockford. Over the 13-game Calder Cup Playoffs run, he tallied nine points (2G, 7A), including three multi-point games.

Future Outlook

At 22-years old, Highmore has time to find more of what his true potential holds. As he is right now, with two years left on his entry-level contract, there is a real chance that Highmore is a regular in the Chicago NHL lineup by the end of next season. Able to play down the middle at Center or on the Wing, the versatility that Highmore brings to his game makes him a valuable asset to the Blackhawks organization.

Obviously the scoring touch is there, but IceHogs Head Coach Jeremy Colliton regularly used Highmore in all situations of the game and has the ability to do the same at the NHL level. Realistically, the ceiling for him maybe lay in a third-line role of the Blackhawks by this time next season.

The post Rockford IceHogs 2017-18 Season Review: Matthew Highmore appeared first on The Rink.

In one of the more memorable season’s in Rockford IceHogs AHL history, the team accomplished a tremendous amount together and individually in the 2017-18 season. To note a few:

• Furthest run in the Calder Cup Playoffs, including deepest postseason run since 2007 Colonial Cup win (UHL).
• Chris DiDomenico sets franchise record for postseason point total (18 points, 13 games)
• Matthew Highmore sets franchise rookie goal-scoring record (24 goals)
• Adam Clendening sets franchise all-time assists and points record for a defenseman (122 assists, 148 points)
• Carl Dahlstrom becomes 100th IceHogs player to reach the NHL
• Vince Hinostroza and Erik Gustafsson named AHL All-Stars, replaced by Matthew Highmore and Carl Dahlstrom at AHL All-Star Classic

Rockford IceHogs Exit Interviews

(Key: Regular Season Stats / Calder Cup Playoff Stats)

Head Coach Jeremy Colliton

In his first season coaching in North America, Colliton led the Rockford IceHogs back to the Calder Cup Playoffs after a last-place finish in the Central Division last season. At just 33-years old, Colliton is already proving his worth to the Chicago Blackhawks organization and maybe, just maybe, a possible replacement for Blackhawks Head Coach Joel Quenneville in the near future.

Cody Franson, Defenseman – 37 GP, 9 G, 19 A / 13 GP, 6 G, 7 A

Cody Franson‘s 2017-18 season did not go as planned. He signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, expecting to be a top-six defenseman for the NHL club. Those plans changed mid-way through the season and he finished the year with the IceHogs. One of the leading point scorers in the regular season and playoffs, Franson made the most of his stint in Rockford and helped propel the IceHogs offensively and defensively.

Adam Clendening, Defenseman – (38 GP, 4 G, 26 A / 13 GP, 1 G, 13 A)

Much like Franson, Adam Clendening did not expect his 2017-18 season to wind up with the Rockford IceHogs. Acquired via trade with the Arizona Coyotes, Clendening re-joined the IceHogs late in the season and made his reunion count. Leading all Rockford defensemen in points in the regular season and playoffs, Clendening was a big part of the trio of veteran players that led the IceHogs through the Calder Cup Playoffs alongside Franson and Chris DiDomenico.

Chris DiDomenico, Forward – (22 GP, 8 G, 15 A / 13 GP, 7 G, 11 A)

Rounding out the trio of players who all joined the IceHogs late in the year, but had some of the biggest impacts in their time with the team, Chris DiDomenico also found his 2017-18 season come to a close with the IceHogs via a trade. Late in the season, DiDomenico  joined Rockford and immediately made his presence known on the ice and in the locker room. Head Coach Jeremy Colliton praised DiDomenico’s contributions to the roster mentally and physically, saying he brought the feeling to the group that on any given night, they should come away winners. Over his last 35 games combined, DiDomenico put up 41 points.

Jeff Glass, Goaltender – (28 GP, 15-9-2, 2.82 GAA, .904 SV% / 3 GP, 2-1, 1.48 GAA, .955 SV%)

What a ride the 2017-18 season was for goaltender Jeff Glass. A journeyman net-minder, who has played the majority of his career in the KHL, becomes the starting goalie for the Rockford IceHogs and Chicago Blackhawks at different points of the season. At 32-years old, Glass made his NHL debut with Chicago and tallied three wins in the big league. With Rockford, Glass continued to lead the IceHogs through tough stretches of the season and graciously took a back seat at the beginning of the Calder Cup Playoffs to Collin Delia. When called back upon in the postseason, Glass gave the IceHogs every chance to complete an improbable comeback, before ultimately coming up just two wins short of the Calder Cup Final.

Collin Delia, Goaltender – (28 GP, 17-7-4, 2.72 GAA, .900 SV% / 10 GP, 7-3, 2.34 GAA, .924 SV%)

Speaking of wild rides this season, Collin Delia had one of the more unbelievable start to finishes this year for the IceHogs. Starting the year with the Indy Fuel in the ECHL, making his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks, and leading the Rockford IceHogs into the Calder Cup Playoffs, Delia was the most improved player from day one. Having a stretch from early January to the end of the regular season, Delia lost just a handful of games, with the majority of those losses coming in overtime or the shootout. It goes without saying that the IceHogs would not have been in the position they were in the final six weeks of the season without Delia. Oh, and he was named the Rockford IceHogs Man of the Year.

Lance Bouma, Forward – (20 GP, 7 G, 7 A / 13 GP, 1 G, 1 A)

Lance Bouma found himself in similar shoes as Cody Franson did with the Chicago Blackhawks this season. Signing a one-year contract, Bouma started the year as a regular in the Blackhawks’ lineup, but as the year progressed his play wasn’t what Chicago needed and the opportunity to give players with more of a future with the organization arose. Thus, Bouma headed to Rockford and made the most of his situation, providing a physical presence on the ice and a leadership quality in the locker room.

Tanner Kero, Forward – (36 GP, 8 G, 12 A / 12 GP, 0 G, 3 A)

Tanner Kero dealt with injuries on and off this season, which was a factor in him having a less-than-stellar outing with the Chicago Blackhawks this year. Being one of the players on the fence between the NHL and AHL in the organization, Kero saw his spot as a bottom-six center with Chicago go to David Kampf and found himself with the IceHogs. Once healthy, he was a consistent presence for Rockford during the regular season and Calder Cup Playoffs.

John Hayden, Forward – (24 GP, 5 G, 12 A / 13 GP, 3 G, 0 A)

One of the younger players that plays on that same NHL/AHL fence for the Chicago Blackhawks organization, John Hayden could have taken his assignments to the Rockford IceHogs this season as a negative. But, to Hayden’s credit, he played well and understood that his time with the IceHogs this season was to give him time to develop his game. Playing with Chicago, Hayden’s game started to deviate from size and skill, to size and slam. Hayden has more to offer than just a big-bodied player and with Rockford, Hayden was able to play more meaningful minutes and find his skill-set at the pro level. A restricted free agent this summer, the Blackhawks will more than likely sign Hayden and make him a part of the bottom-six in Chicago next season.

Tyler Sikura, Forward – (74 GP, 23 G, 16 A / 13 GP, 5 G, 1 A)

Next to Collin Delia, Tyler Sikura was one of the most improved players over the course of the season. In his first full-year in the AHL, Sikura scored 23 goals (2nd on the team) and earned himself his first NHL deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. Sikura can find himself in a position battle for a bottom-six forward spot with Chicago next year as he showed that he has a scoring touch around the net for the IceHogs and can play physical when called upon.

Andreas Martinsen, Forward – (64 GP, 12 G, 16 A / 13 GP, 2 G, 3 A)

Joining the IceHogs right as the 2017-18 season began, Andreas Martinsen was brought in to the organization to help lead a young locker room early on. Far from a grizzled veteran, Martinsen brought some NHL experience to a locker room in Rockford that started the year with nearly a dozen players making their first year pro debuts. Martinsen was a leader on and off the ice for the IceHogs and provided consistent physical play throughout the year and into the Calder Cup Playoffs. Martinsen was also able to get a few NHL games under his belt with the Blackhawks late in the NHL season.

David Kampf, Forward – (33 GP, 7 G, 11 A / 13 GP, 1 G, 0 A)

David Kampf came into the Chicago Blackhawks organization with a ton of question marks surrounding him. A free agent signing from Europe, the 23-year old Czech Center joined the IceHogs out of training camp and was a player that head coach Jeremy Colliton gave a large amount of ice-time to. It worked in Kampf’s favor as he was recalled to the Blackhawks mid-way through the season and would only re-join the IceHogs with a few games remaining in the regular season. While only scoring one playoff point, Kampf created a ton of offensive chances. He’ll figure to be in the mix for a bottom-six position with Chicago next year.

Carl Dahlstrom, Defenseman – (64 GP, 3 G, 25 A / 13 GP, 3 G, 6 A)

The 2017-18 season narrative of the Rockford IceHogs continued to be young talent making huge improvements all season, and for defenseman Carl Dahlstrom, that narrative rang true. A sizable defender, Dahlstrom more than doubled his point production from last season in fewer games played. Named an AHL All-Star replacement for Erik Gustafsson, Dahlstrom also made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks during the 2017-18 campaign and will figure to challenge for a spot on Chicago’s blue-line next season.

Gustav Forsling, Defenseman – (18 GP, 2 G, 3 A / 13 GP, 1 G, 4 A)

One of the more interesting defenseman in the Chicago Blackhawks organization, Gustav Forsling had a difficult 2017-18 season. Bouncing between the Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs, Forsling dealt with injuries that hindered his season. But, when healthy, Forsling showed flashes of why the Blackhawks still have a ton of faith that he will be able to play the role of a defenseman who can jump into the offense and produce points in the NHL. At 21-years old (turning 22 in mid-June), Forsling still has room for development, but figures to be in the mix for a spot on Chicago’s blue-line next season.

Robin Norell, Defenseman – (63 GP, 2 G, 5 A / No Playoff Stats)

Robin Norell had an odd 2017-18 season. As a defenseman, Norell played solid on both ends of the ice for the IceHogs, but ultimately found himself dressing for more games as a forward than a defender. Once the latter half of the season rolled around, and the Rockford blue-line took shape, Norell saw his spot in the lineup go away and he did not dress for the Calder Cup Playoffs. He’ll more than likely figure to be a part of the IceHogs defensive core again next season.

Viktor Svedberg, Defenseman – (73 GP, 6 G, 18 A / 13 GP, 0 G, 5 A)  

A stalwart in the Rockford IceHogs organization for the last few years, Viktor Svedberg had arguably his best season of his career in 2017-18. His highest point total in his AHL career (24 points), Svedberg had a decent shot with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2015-16 season, playing in 24 NHL games, but it seems as if the organization may have moved on from the towering Swedish defenseman. An unrestricted free agent this summer, it will be interesting to see if the Blackhawks bring Svedberg back, as he has become an integrated part of the Rockford organization, but may not have an NHL future with Chicago.

Matt Tomkins, Goaltender – (8 GP, 1-4-2, 4.04 GAA, .871 SV%) / (No Playoff Stats)

Another goalie for the IceHogs who did a fair share of bouncing around this season was Matt Tomkins. While largely only playing in a backup role with the IceHogs, Tomkins was another first-year pro who made his debut with Rockford this season. Tomkins figures to be a starting option in net for the ECHL Indy Fuel next season, but could be a challenger for some AHL time too.

Victor Ejdsell, Forward – (5 GP, 0 G, 1 A) / (13 GP, 7 G, 5 A)

Acquired in the Ryan Hartman trade with the Nashville Predators, Victor Ejdsell came into the Chicago Blackhawks organization late in the year and quickly took the sting away from the Hartman deal for many fans. A big-bodied forward, Ejdsell played a handful of game with the Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs once he arrived in North America and showed flashes of quick hands and a powerful shot from the wings. Ejdsell was a huge factor for the IceHogs in the Calder Cup Playoffs, scoring two overtime goals over the 13-game run. Ejdsell should get a chance with the Blackhawks early on next season.

Henrik Samuelsson, Forward – (25 GP, 9 G, 3 A) / (4 GP, 0 G, 0 A)

Henrik Samuelsson joined the IceHogs late in the season from the ECHL Idaho Steelheads and jumped right into the lineup in a way. Scoring a goal in each of his first three games, Samuelsson is a former-first round pick making his way back to the top leagues of North America. A big-bodied forward, Samuelsson was scratched to start the Calder Cup Playoffs for the IceHogs, but found his way back into the lineup later in the postseason. Samuelsson signed an extension into next season and should factor into the Rockford lineup as a regular.

Graham Knott, Forward – (70 GP, 4 G, 5 A) / (No Playoff Stats)

Another first-year pro making his debut with the Rockford IceHogs this season, Graham Knott had an underwhelming first year. Nine points in 70 games played for the former second-round pick by the Chicago Blackhawks, Knott played a fourth-line role all season for Rockford before being scratched for the Calder Cup Playoffs. Another large-bodied forward, Knott will need to improve his strength and skating over the summer, but will have a spot with the IceHogs next season.

Darren Raddysh, Defenseman – (66 GP, 5 G, 17 A) / (9 GP, 0 G, 2 A)

Making his professional debut with the Rockford IceHogs this season, Darren Raddysh played his way into and NHL contract with the Chicago Blackhawks while in the midst of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Raddysh was a regular in the IceHogs defensive core, but was a scratch for the final few games of the postseason. He’ll be a factor in the Rockford blue-line again next season, maybe with an outside chance at making his NHL debut in 2018-19.

Luke Johnson, Forward – (73 GP, 13 G, 17 A) / (13 GP, 4 G, 4 A)

Luke Johnson made a huge leap from the 2016-17 to 2017-18 season. Playing in 73 games again this season, Johnson doubled his point production from last season and saw his on and off-ice responsibilities increase under head coach Jeremy Colliton. Johnson should be a key player for the IceHogs next season and could even make his NHL debut with the Blackhawks next season if Chicago gets bitten with injuries.

Nathan Noel, Forward – (17 GP, 1 G, 0 A) / (No Playoff Stats)

Nathan Noel had a tough season in his first year as a pro. Dealing with injuries and playing on the fence between the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL and the Indy Fuel in the ECHL, Noel made the most of his time with Rockford but left more to be desired. Next season should provide more opportunities for Noel at the AHL level, but he’ll need an impressive summer.

Matheson Iacopelli, Forward – (50 GP, 11 G, 8 A) / (No Playoff Stats)

One of the more interesting cases for the Chicago Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs organizations, Matheson Iacopelli has the skill-set to be a regular contributor at the AHL level and his shot has been said to be NHL quality. But, for some reason, although scoring at a 0.40 point per game pace over his 58 AHL games, Iacopelli was scratched and even sent to the Indy Fuel in the ECHL late in the season. In 10 games with Indy, Iacopelli scored 10 points (9 G, 1 A) and was quickly brought back to Rockford, but didn’t see any action in the Calder Cup Playoffs. He’ll factor into the IceHogs lineup next season, but wouldn’t hurt to have a standout summer.

Matthew Highmore, Forward – (64 GP, 24 G, 19 A) / (13 GP, 2 G, 7 A)

One of the more impressive first-year players with the Rockford IceHogs this season, Matthew Highmore went from undrafted free agent signing out of the QMJHL, to Rockford’s top goal-scorer in 2017-18. Setting the rookie goal-scoring record with 24 goals in 63 games, Highmore took over the production role, alongside Anthony Louis, when Vince Hinostroza left Rockford for his permanent stay with the Blackhawks early in the season. The Chicago Blackhawks took a flyer on Highmore and it has already paid off in one year for both organizations. He made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks late this season, including his first NHL goal, and will again be looked at as an option for the Blackhawks next season.

Anthony Louis, Forward – (70 GP, 14 G, 44 A) / (9 GP, 0 G, 5 A)

As mentioned above, Anthony Louis was one of the key players for the Rockford IceHogs all season. The 2017-18 points leader for Rockford, Louis emerged as one of the go-to players after Vince Hinostroza was recalled to the Chicago Blackhawks. In his first full year in the AHL, Louis showed that he has the speed and vision to create for his teammates offensively. He’ll need more time in the AHL to round out his game and will undoubtedly be one of the key players for the IceHogs next season.

Alex Fortin, Forward – (53 GP, 4 G, 21 A) / (1 GP, 0 G, 0 A)

Alexandre Fortin, by all accounts, had a fine first professional year in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs. Outside of dealing with injuries, Fortin made his pro debut and did well in the role he was given by head coach Jeremy Colliton. The problem comes with the expectations that Fortin came into the Chicago Blackhawks organization with. He was a free agent signing and had a monster summer showing, enough to make some people believe he was NHL-ready. But Fortin’s first full pro season left something to be desired. If Fortin can have another decent showing over the summer, he’ll be a regular again in the IceHogs lineup and could potentially get his NHL shot in 2018-19.

William Pelletier, Forward – (69 GP, 14 G, 15A) / (13 GP, 2 G, 0 A)

Guess what? Another first-year pro! William Pelletier made a few appearances late last season for the Rockford IceHogs, but the 2017-18 season was his first full season in the AHL. A former Division III standout at Norwich University, Pelletier is another “water-bug” type of player in the Chicago Blackhawks system that has excelled with the IceHogs. Like Hinostorza and Anthony Louis, Pelletier uses his quick feet and playmaking ability to create offensive chances for his linemates and has an ability for finding open space to find his shot. Over his 77 career games with Rockford, Pelletier is playing at a .47 point per game pace and will be a regular for the IceHogs next season.

Luc Snuggerud, Defenseman – (40 GP, 5 G, 12 A) / (No Playoff Stats)

Another player hinder by the injury big this season, Luc Snuggerud made his pro debut in his first full year in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs this season. When healthy, Snuggerud was a regular part of the Rockford defensive core and showed the ability to play effectively at both ends of the ice. While healthy at the end of the season, Snuggerud was edged out in the defensive rotation and did not dress for any games in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Over his 53 career games with the IceHogs, Snuggerud is producing at a .42 point per game pace which is great from a defenseman. With a solid showing this summer, Snuggerud will be a regular part of the Rockford defensive lineup next season.

A GIANT thank goes out to the great Media and Communications staff with the Rockford IceHogs for providing all the videos of the exit interviews.

As the 2017-18 season comes to an official close for the Rockford IceHogs, it goes without saying that this squad came together under familiar circumstances with a rookie head coach being paired with so many first-year pros. The locker room gelled and added the right veteran pieces to produce some AHL magic and create a renewed vigor in the Rockford hockey community. Adam Clendening’s statement that this group was the most fun group he has ever played with spoke volumes to what Jeremy Colliton, the coach staff, and management did to rebuild the IceHogs from their disappointing 2016-17 run.

While the Chicago Blackhawks regulars have had their spring to relax and recover from last season, the IceHogs have been going through a tough Calder Cup Playoffs run. For most players, the offseason will be short as Summer Prospect Camp gets underway in the latter half of July, leading into the Rookie Showcase in Traverse City before Training Camp in late August. While the additions of new free agent and draft pick signings will re-shape the look of the IceHogs for the 2018-19 season, the organization is back on the right track and provides a hopeful look into the future of the Chicago Blackhawks.

The post Rockford IceHogs 2017-18 Season Exit Interviews appeared first on The Rink.

Texas Stars vs Rockford IceHogs: By The Numbers

IceHogs Final Record and Standings: 40-28-8, 88 points, 4th Central Division

Stars Final Record and Standings: 34-28-14, 90 points, 2nd Pacific Division

Head-to-Head: 2-1-1, Rockford

Rockford Regular Season Goals For vs Texas: 13

Texas Regular Season Goals For vs Rockford: 5

Rockford Second-Round Series: 4-0 over Manitoba Moose

Texas Second-Round Series: 4-1 over Tucson RoadRunners

Rockford Calder Cup Playoffs Powerplay: 15/40 (37.5%), 1st in AHL

Texas Calder Cup Playoffs Powerplay: 5/29 (17.2%), 10th in AHL

Rockford Calder Cup Playoffs Penalty-Kill: 26/28 (92.9%), 2nd in AHL

Texas Calder Cup Playoffs Penalty-Kill: 24/28 (85.7%), 6th in AHL

Rockford Calder Cup Playoffs Top Skater: Chris DiDomenico (4G, 7A), 11 points

Texas Calder Cup Playoffs Top Skater: Brian Flynn (6G, 4A), 10 points

Rockford Calder Cup Playoffs Top Goalie: Collin Delia (7-0-0), 1.64 GAA, .948 Save-Percentage

Texas Calder Cup Playoffs Top Goalie: Mike McKenna (7-2-0), 1.65 GAA, .952 Save-Percentage

Series Preview Audio

Ahead of their Western Conference Finals series against Texas, hear from Rockford head coach Jeremy Colliton, Matthew Highmore, and Collin Delia as they breakdown the upcoming matchup with Texas, having a full week off before Game One, and the journey it has been reaching this point of the season.

Head Coach Jeremy Colliton

Matthew Highmore

Collin Delia

Players To Watch

Collin Delia, G, Rockford IceHogs

The success of the IceHogs essentially starts and stops with Delia in net. He has played outstanding in the postseason and in the two month run-up to the Calder Cup Playoffs. Delia is one of the two hottest net-minders in the postseason this year and his work in net has been one of the key factors in getting Rockford to this point. If Delia continues what he has done since the beginning of February, and out-duel Stars goalie Mike McKenna, the IceHogs penalty-kill can continue to be successful and the pucks will stay out of their net.

Collin Delia salutes the home crowd after the Rockford IceHogs defeat the Manitoba Moose in Game Four of the Western Conference Semi-Finals in the Calder Cup Playoffs. (Courtesy: Alec Reicher)

Mike McKenna, G, Texas Stars

It’ll be a tall order for Delia to out-duel McKenna in net as the 35-year old McKenna has been at the top of the AHL this season in net. The Stars continue to ride McKenna and rely on him in the penalty-killing game, just like Rockford with Delia. The IceHogs will have to simplify their game in getting pucks to the net and force McKenna to work for saves. Getting traffic in front of net and cycling the puck on the powerplay will be keys for Rockford if they are to crack McKenna.

Chris DiDomenico, C, Rockford IceHogs

Speaking of Rockford’s powerplay, the top-ranked unit in the Calder Cup Playoffs has been key in getting the IceHogs to this point in the season. The biggest contributor to the man-advantage success is forward Chris DiDomenico. Eight of his eleven points so far in the postseason have come on the powerplay (2G, 6A) and he has facilitated a ton of offensive chances while at even-strength as well. Rockford’s offense seems to go as DiDomenico does.

Chris DiDomenico celebrates with his teammates after a goal in Game Four of the Western Conference Semi-Finals. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

Brian Flynn, RW, Texas Stars

The leading point-scorer for the Stars so far in the Calder Cup Playoffs, Flynn has come up at big spots for the Stars this postseason with timely goals. Flynn, a veteran of 275 NHL games since 2013, is playing in his first full season in the AHL since the strike-shortened 2012-13 season. He has tallied six goals in nine games for the Stars so far, including an overtime winner in the First Round and a overtime-forcing goal in the Second Round. If the IceHogs are going to have success defensively, keeping Flynn off the scoreboard will be key.

Victor Ejdsell, LW/RW, Rockford IceHogs

This postseason has been a bit of a showcase for the sizable Swedish forward. Ejdsell took a bit to come around to the North American game, joining the IceHogs late in the season. But what he has shown in the Calder Cup Playoffs so far is that he has a tremendous vision on the ice and a deceptive shot. As he has earned ice-time, his confidence and comfort level have increased and it shows in his play. If Ejdsell can continue to find his game, he’ll continue to find the scoresheet and help Rockford’s offense.

Victor Ejdsell of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

Travis Morin, C, Texas Stars

Morin is one of three current Stars players who are still on the team that won the Calder Cup in 2014 (Morin, Curtis McKenzie, Justin Dowling) and won the Jack A. Butterfield award as Calder Cup Playoff MVP during the Stars’ 2014 run. He ranks third in points for Texas with six (3G, 3A) over their nine games in the postseason and has been one of the key forwards for Texas for nine years. A veteran of 623 AHL games and 74 Calder Cup Playoff games (all with Texas) Morin can always be counted on to lead a talented Stars roster. He leads the Stars in penalty minutes (12) in the postseason and Rockford could find a way to get Morin in the box and give their top-powerplay units opportunities to get on the board.

What’s Next?

The Rockford IceHogs and Texas Stars meet in the Calder Cup Playoffs for the third time in AHL history, with both teams owning a sweep in the postseason over the other.

Here is the schedule for the IceHogs and Stars in the Calder Cup Playoffs Western Conference Finals:

• Game One: Rockford IceHogs at Texas Stars, Friday, May 18, 7pm (H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, Cedar Park, Texas)
• Game  Two: Rockford IceHogs at Texas Stars, Sunday, May 20, 5pm
• Game Three: Texas Stars at Rockford IceHogs, Tuesday, May 22, 7pm (BMO Harris Bank Center, Rockford, Illinois)
• Game Four: Texas Stars at Rockford IceHogs, Thursday, May 24, 7pm
• * Game Five: Texas Stars at Rockford IceHogs, Friday, May 25, 7pm (*If Necessary)
• * Game Six: Rockford IceHogs at Texas Stars, Monday, May 28th, 7pm (*If Necessary)
• * Game Seven: Rockford IceHogs at Texas Stars, Tuesday, May 29th, 7pm (*If Necessary)

The Winner of the series will advance to the Calder Cup Finals and play the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Toronto Marlies.

The post IceHogs To Face Stars In Calder Cup Western Conference Finals appeared first on The Rink.

Rockford IceHogs Media Day Video

Ahead of Rockford’s travel day to Winnipeg, the IceHogs spoke with the media to preview the series. Unlike the opening round matchup with the Wolves, the IceHogs have not had the regular season familiarity with the Moose this season, having played them just four times compared to twelve times against Chicago. Hear from Head Coach Jeremy Colliton, Collin Delia, Matthew Highmore, Adam Clendening, and Senior Director of Minor League Affiliations Mark Bernard as Rockford preps for Game One.

Watch: Jeremy Colliton Media Day – May 2, 2018

Watch: Collin Delia Media Day – May 2, 2018

Watch: Matthew Highmore Media Day – May 2, 2018

Watch: Adam Clendening Media Day – May 2, 2018

Watch: Mark Bernard Media Day – May 2, 2018

What’s Next?

Here is the full schedule for the Calder Cup Western Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-Seven series between Rockford and Manitoba:

• Game One: Friday, May 4 at Bell MTS Place (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada), 7pm
• Game Two: Saturday, May 5 at Bell MTS Place, 4pm
• Game Three: Wednesday, May 9 at BMO Harris Bank Center (Rockford, Illinois), 7pm
• Game Four: Friday, May 11 at BMO Harris Bank Center, 7pm
• * Game Five: Saturday, May 12 at BMO Harris Bank Center, 6pm (* If Necessary)
• * Game Six: Tuesday, May 15 at Bell MTS Place, 7pm (* If Necessary)
• * Game Seven: Wednesday, May 16 at Bell MTS Place, 7pm (* If Necessary)

This series will be the first between the IceHogs and the Moose, and marks the third time in Rockford’s AHL history that they have advanced to the Calder Cup Playoffs’ Western Conference Semi-Final round, having lost both previous trips. For Manitoba, this will be the first time advancing to the Calder Cup Playoffs’ Western Conference Semi-Final round since 2011 (the franchise was known as the St. John’s Ice Caps from 2011-15).

The post WATCH: IceHogs Media Day Ahead Of Game One Against Moose appeared first on The Rink.

Game Two: Rockford IceHogs def. Chicago Wolves, 5-2

The IceHogs went with what worked in Game One with Collin Delia in net. Coming back from injury, Tanner Kero made his way into the Rockford lineup after missing the past half-dozen games. The physicality between the teams picked up right where it has left off after the baker’s dozen of games between the clubs this season. Nearing the mid-way point of the game, the Wolves were able to get on the board as Wade Megan put home a rebound for the 1-0 goal.

The IceHogs wouldn’t have to wait long to respond as they picked up the pace after the Chicago goal and with just over six minutes left in the first period, William Pelltier took the puck from the far corner and ripped one past Oscar Dansk, and the game was tied 1-1. The IceHogs would get the go-ahead goal in the first period with a powerplay tally from Luke Johnson to make it a 2-1 game late, but Chicago would respond late as Zac Leslie would put home a rebound goal just as the first period expired and make it a 2-2 game after a frantic 20 minutes.

The frenzied pace would carry over into the second period as the Wolves took an early penalty that would allow the IceHogs to re-take the lead as Matthew Highmore went up high to beat Dansk, making it a 3-2 game early in the middle frame. Shortly after, Rockford found themselves in a dangerous position, having to kill off a five-on-three penalty chance mid–way through the period. The IceHogs were able to kill off both penalties and bring the home crowd back into the game in a big way.

The Rockford IceHogs salute their home fans after a win in Game Two of the Firts Round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

Through the mid-way point of the game, the Wolves led the IceHogs on shots on net, but Collin Delia was able to turn away the high-danger scoring chances that Chicago were creating, including a turnover to T.J. Tynan in the slot that Delia squared up and held onto. Late in the period, the IceHogs were able to extend their lead to 4-2 with a powerplay goal from Chris DiDomenico on a five-on-three man advantage. The first 40 minutes of the game saw Rockford go three for five on the powerplay and the third period would begin with their sixth powerplay opportunity of the game.

The Wolves and IceHogs traded penalty-kills to begin the third period with Rockford’s two-goal lead intact. Collin Delia came up with a number of key saves in the final frame, making 28 saves on the night, keeping the two-goal lead safe late into the third period. With the Chicago net empty and just under a minute to play, Lance Bouma found the yawning cage and put the IceHogs up 5-2 for the final score. With the win, Rockford takes a 2-0 series lead heading back to Chicago for Game Three.

GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS: Rockford IceHogs def. Chicago Wolves, 5-2

One of the biggest factors in both games in the series so far has been the work of the special teams on both sides of the ice. Rockford had been one of the worst combined special teams clubs all season, but down the late stretch of the year and now into the Calder Cup Playoffs, have been clicking on the powerplay. With five powerplay goals over the last two games, Rockford’s offense has been driven by their chances on the man-advantage. While that is all fine and good, the Wolves have had their own successes on the powerplay, converting once in both games One and Two. If Rockford is to advance past Chicago, they will have to stay disciplined and be out of the penalty box in Game three.

Adam Clendening, Chris DiDomenico, and Victor Ejdsell all notched two-points in the Game Two victory and Delia improved his professional postseason record to 2-0-0, with a 1.51 GAA and a .952 save-percentage. With the win on Sunday, Rockford finds itself with a chance to advance to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs since the 2014-15 season, and only the second time in the club’s AHL history.

Postgame Reaction

Hear postgame interviews with head coach Jeremy Colliton, Matthew Highmore, Luke Johnson, and Collin Delia;

Head Coach Jeremy Colliton

Matthew Highmore

Luke Johnson

Collin Delia

What’s Next?

With a win in Game Two, the IceHogs take a 2-0 series lead back to Chicago on Thursday for Game Three, in what is now an elimination game in the best-of-five series. Here is the full first-round schedule for Rockford and Chicago:

• Game One – Rockford IceHogs def. Chicago Wolves, 2-1 (RFD leads series 1-0)
• Game Two – Rockford IceHogs def. Chicago Wolves, 5-2 (RFD leads series 2-0)
• Game Three – at Chicago, Thursday, April 26 – 7pm
• Game Four * – at Rockford, Sunday, April 29 – 4pm (if necessary)
• Game Five * – at Chicago, Monday, April 30 – 7pm (if necessary)

Winner of the Rockford-Chicago series will go on to face the winner of the Manitoba Moose-Grand Rapids Griffins series in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

The post Rockford IceHogs Beat Chicago Wolves In Game Two, Take 2-0 Series Lead appeared first on The Rink.

Players To Watch For The Rockford IceHogs

• Anthony Louis, LW, 44 points (14G, 30A)
  • IceHogs points leader for the 2017-18 season
  • Rookie points leader
  • Tied for team-lead in assists for 2017-18 season
  • The Winfield, IL native had a breakout season in 2017-18, his first full year with Rockford. Louis uses his speed and on-ice vision to create offensive chances and has seen regular minutes on the IceHogs’ top lines after Vince Hinostroza made the permanent jump to the Chicago Blackhawks in November. With four goals and four assists in ten games against the Wolves, Louis is tied with Rockford defenseman Carl Dahlstrom for the most points against Chicago this year.

Anthony Louis shoots on net against the Milwaukee Admirals. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

• Adam Clendening, D, 35 points (5G, 30A)
  • Acquired by the Chicago Blackhawks organization in January
  • Finished 5th on the team in scoring for the year, 30 of 35 points coming with the IceHogs
  • Set Rockford AHL franchise all-time records for assists (122) and points (148) by a defenseman in 2017-18 season.
  • Clendening made his return to the IceHogs count after being acquired via trade by the Blackhawks in January. In 38 games with Rockford, he totaled 30 of his 35 points on the season and was one of the driving factors for the IceHogs down the stretch of the season. Over the last 15 games of the season, Clendening notched 12 points (2G, 10A)

Adam Clendening takes a shot. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

• Matthew Highmore, LW/C, 43 points (24G, 19A)
  • Second on team in points this season, one behind Anthony Louis
  • Second behind Louis in Rookie scoring this season.
  • Set Rockford AHL franchise record for goals by a rookie (24) this year.
  • Highmore made a huge first impression on the IceHogs in his rookie year. If he had not made his NHL debut this season with the Blackhawks, Highmore would have led the team in goals and points, the way he was producing. A great finisher, Highmore’s scoring touch isn’t his only upside as he is used by head coach Jeremy Colliton in all situations. Playing Center and on the Wing, Highmore can be counted on as a power-play producer as well as a penalty-killer and regularly has Rockford’s offense run through him.

Matthew Highmore of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Greg Hamil)

• Chris DiDomenico, C, 38 points (14G, 24A)
  • Acquired by the Chicago Blackhawks organization in February
  • Finished 4th on the team in scoring for the year, 23 of 38 points coming with the IceHogs
  • Highest point per game total (1.05) on the roster this year of players playing more than 20 games.
  • DiDomenico was a late-season acquisition for Rockford, coming in February in a trade that saw Ville Pokka head to the Ottawa Senators in exchange. Since his arrival with the IceHogs, DiDomenico has been possibly the biggest offensive factor for the team in their playoff push. On numerous occasions, DiDomenico has received praise from head coach Jeremy Colliton as a player that brings a “swagger” to the team in the way he plays and handles himself on the ice. Look for him to not only be a problem for the Wolves on the stat-sheet, but also between the whistles.

Chris DiDomenico celebrates a goal against the Chicago Wolves. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

• Jeff Glass, G, 15-9-2 (2.82 GAA, .904 save pct.)
  • Tied with Collin Delia in most appearances in net for Rockford (28)
  • Second on the team in wins this season
  • Best record (5-2-0), GAA (2.51), and save pct. (.915) against the Wolves this season
  • While Collin Delia is the hottest goalie on the IceHogs’ roster heading into the playoffs, Glass is far and wide the most experienced. Having played in the postseason in the ECHL and four times in the KHL, Glass has the ability to lead a locker room that is well-mixed with veterans and first-year pros, in-between the pipes. He has the most games played against the Wolves this season and back-stopped five of Rockford’s six wins against Chicago this season.

Jeff Glass makes a save against the Chicago Wolves. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

• Collin Delia, G, 17-7-4 (2.72 GAA, .900 save pct.)
  • Tied with Jeff Glass for most appearances in net for Rockford (28)
  • Most wins this season by a goalie
  • 11-3-3 since the beginning of February, 7-1-2 in last ten games
  • Delia began the season with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL and notched just one win in either the AHL or ECHL before December 28th. As the calendar turned to 2018, Delia found his stride and went n impressive 16-5-4 for the IceHogs since January 2. Down the stretch of the season, Delia turned out points in 12 of his last 13 appearances. While his GAA and save pct. leave something to be desired, Delia’s development as the year progressed has given the team a ton of confidence when he is in net. Head coach Jeremy Colliton still is noncommittal on his strategy in net for Rockford, but it would be surprising to see Delia not get the first chance at being the starter against the Wolves, given recent play.

Collin Delia makes a save against the Chicago Wolves. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

While there are a few more notable players to keep an eye on for Rockford (i.e. Lance Bouma, John Hayden, Tyler Sikura, and Cody Franson) these players have had some of the biggest impacts for the IceHogs this season and down the stretch to get the team to this point.

What’s Next?

Game One of the opening round series between the Wolves and IceHogs begins in Rosemont on Saturday night. Here is the full first-round schedule for Rockford and Chicago:

• Game One – at Chicago, Saturday, April 21 – 7pm
• Game Two – at Rockford, Sunday, April 22 – 4pm
• Game Three – at Chicago, Thursday, April 26 – 7pm
• Game Four * – at Rockford, Sunday, April 29 – 4pm (if necessary)
• Game Five * – at Chicago, Monday, April 30 – 7pm (if necessary)

Winner of the Rockford-Chicago series will go on to face the winner of the Manitoba Moose-Grand Rapids Griffins series in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

The post Players To Watch: Rockford IceHogs vs Chicago Wolves appeared first on The Rink.

Last season, the IceHogs finished last in the Division and missed out on the Calder Cup Playoffs, resulting in major staff and roster changes. The hard work all season by Rockford and first-year head coach Jeremy Colliton has paid off with a postseason berth and potential home-ice advantage still up for grabs.

Tuesday: Rockford IceHogs def. Iowa Wild, 5-3

Tuesday night saw Rockford roll into Des Moines, Iowa, to take on the Wild in the fourth game of a four-game road trip. Rockford needed just 1 point to clinch a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs and turned to red-hot goaltender Collin Delia to backstop them against Iowa. Delia came into Tuesday’s game with a 9-0-2 record over his last 11 appearances and is 16-6-4 on the season.

Rockford got on the board early with a deflection goal from Henrik Samulesson just over three minutes into the game. Samuelsson’s ninth of the year put Rockford in the driver seat early, but it would not last long as the Wild would tie the game 1-1 just under six minutes later. Kyle Rau would add a second goal for the Wild in the first period four minutes later and Iowa would take a 2-1 lead into the second period over the IceHogs.

In the second period, Rockford would yet again score within the opening five minutes as Anthony Louis notched his 13th goal of the season to tie the game at 2-2. Louis’ tally would put him into a tie for the team-lead in points (42) with Matthew Highmore. With momentum on their side, the IceHogs re-took the lead just four minutes later as Cody Franson put the puck on net and it deflected off of a Wild defenseman and in for the 3-2 goal. Franson’s seventh goal of the season was enough to give the IceHogs the one-goal advantage heading into the final frame.

In the third period, the Wild would pull out all the stops to play the roll of spoiler to Rockford as they took just three and a half minutes to tie the game 3-3 on Rau’s second goal of the game. Collin Delia would make a number of high-level saves throughout the third period to keep the game knotted up late into the period. Finally, with under five minutes to go, Lance Bouma would bury his seventh goal of the season to give the IceHogs the 4-3 lead. The Wild would pull Niklas Svedberg with just over two minutes to play, and Rockford would get an insurance empty net goal from Franson with under a minute to play to seal the deal, 5-3 over the Wild and clinch the fourth and final Calder Cup Playoff spot in the Central Division.

Hear from head coach Jeremy Colltion after the IceHogs clinched a Calder Cup Playoff spot:

Delia made 20 saves on 23 shots faced and improved his undefeated in regulation streak to 12 games at 10-0-2, with wins in the last five contests in a row. Delia’s record improves to 17-6-4 with a 2.64 GAA and a .904 save-percentage. Riding the hot-hand in net may turn out to be the best bet for head coach Jeremy Colliton to make, but it will be difficult with three more than capable AHL level goalies on the roster along with Jeff Glass and J.F. Berube.

Rockford Back In The Postseason

This time last season, the IceHogs were welcoming in a number of players on PTO’s and ATO’s trying to see what the Chicago Blackhawks had deep in their organization as the NHL club began preparations for the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the AHL club was packing their bags ahead of a long off-season. With the last-place finish in the Central Division, the Blackhawks organization made a change in the IceHogs’ coaching staff, Relieving Ted Dent of his duties and bringing in a young head coach from the Swedish League in Jeremy Colliton. Not to mention, giving him a roster that would see more than a dozen players make their professional debuts.

Leading the IceHogs in net is a rookie in Collin Delia. Leading Rockford in scoring are two rookies in Matthew Highmore and Anthony Louis, both with 42 points on the year. Goal leaders are again two rookies in Highmore (23) and Tyler Sikura (22), making his mark in his first full season in the AHL. On the blue-line, rookies like Darren Raddysh and Luc Snuggerud have made impacts all season.

Although the roster began very, very young, over the course of the season the IceHogs would make a number of additions through trades and through call-ups and assignments that would add a major amount of veteran leadership. Players like Cody Franson, Lance Bouma, Andreas Martinsen, Chris DiDomenico, and Adam Clendening all joined Rockford at different points in the season, but have all been major players in the success of the club late in the year. Add in players like Henrik Samuelsson and John Hayden and the IceHogs roster has the right mix of veteran presence with rookies finding their way, and size and speed to go along with the vision of Colliton to be difficult to play against based on speed, skill, size, and work ethic. Rockford looks to be peaking at the right time as they charge into the Calder Cup Playoffs.

What’s Next?

The IceHogs are back in action on Friday night as they begin a home-and-home two-game series to end the regular season against the Chicago Wolves. The final two games of the season have major implications on the final seeding in the Central Division and could have a big impact on who Rockford will face in the opening round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Friday night’s game is scheduled for a 7pm Central Time puck drop at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford, while Saturday is set to go down at 7pm Central Time at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. For the IceHogs, the Calder Cup Playoffs are clinched, but there is still work to be done

The post The Rockford IceHogs Clinch Spot In Calder Cup Playoffs appeared first on The Rink.

Wednesday: Rockford IceHogs def. San Antonio Rampage, 4-2

Wednesday night started off on the right foot for the IceHogs. With Collin Delia making his return to Rockford and his return to the starting position, the IceHogs were able to get on the board first early in the opening period. Matthew Highmore was able to bury a drop pass from Tanner Kero for the game’s first goal. Leading 1-0 on Highmore’s team-leading 23rd goal of the season, Rockford’s advantage was quickly erased as the Rampage were able to get a game-tying goal less than two minutes later. It would be another two minutes and the Rampage would find themselves up 2-1 on the IceHogs at the mid-way point of the period.

Rockford, quickly on their heels, were able to crawl back into the game and get an equalizing goal late in the first period. Anthony Louis floated a puck towards San Antonio’s goalie Spencer Martin, but it was difficult to handle and Lance Bouma was able to be at the right spot at the right time and scored the 2-2 goal on the fumbled puck. Bouma’s sixth goal of the season with Rockford and the teams would head to the dressing room tied 2-2 after the opening 20 minutes.

The IceHogs wouldn’t take long to break the 2-2 tie in the second period as William Pelletier was able to control a breakout pass from Highmore and bury the 3-2 goal while short-handed. Pelletier’s 12th goal of the season gave Rockford the lead just under four minutes into the middle frame. Delia would get some help in the second and third periods from his goal posts, but was able to save all 10 shots he faced in the period and Rockford would hold onto their 3-2 lead heading into the final 20 minutes.

HIGHLIGHTS: Rockford IceHogs def. San Antonio Rampage, 4-2

In the third period, the game began to tighten up as both the IceHogs and Rampage were looking to stay alive in the Calder Cup Playoff race, putting the game in to a playoff-type feel. Delia would again be called on to keep Rockford’s lead intact and he answered the bell, saving all nine shots he faced in the period as Rockford was able to put home an empty-net goal with less than a minute to play. Pelletier would out-race the Rampage defense late in the game and tally his second goal of the game and give the IceHogs a 4-2 win to open a four-game road-trip and extend their winning streak to five-games.

Delia made 24 saves on 26 shots faced in his return to the Rockford roster and improved his record to 15-6-4 on the season and 8-0-2 over his last 10 appearances. William Pelletier notched his 12th and 13th goals of the season, Highmore extended his team-lead in goals and tied Louis for the team-lead in points with 40 on the season. Additionally, Lance Bouma extended his point-streak to three games, Chris DiDomenico extended his point-streak to nine games and has 13 points (4G, 9A) over that time. All good things for a team that is fighting off two teams for the fourth and final Calder Cup Playoff spot in the Central Division.

Calder Cup Playoff Race

After Wednesday night, here’s the AHL Central Division Calder Cup Playoff Race (games remaining):

1. Chicago Wolves – 38-21-11, 87 pts, .621 pts% (6)
2. Manitoba Moose – 39-24-8, 86 pts, .606 pts% (5)
3. Grand Rapids Griffins – 39-24-8, 86 pts, .606 pts% (5)
4. Rockford IceHogs – 38-25-8, 84 pts, .592 pts% (5)
5. Milwaukee Admirals – 37-29-5, 79 pts, .556 pts% (5)
6. Iowa Wild – 30-26-15, 75 pts, .528 pts% (5)
7. Cleveland Monsters – 23-38-10, 56 pts, .394 pts% (5)

Over their last ten games, the IceHogs are 8-1-1 and since the beginning of March, hold a 10-2-2 record. Compared to the last ten of the Admirals (6-4-0) and the Wild (1-8-1), Rockford might be peaking at the right time to seal a Calder Cup Playoff spot within the next few days. Once that happens, it becomes a pick’em of who will be their opponent with the Wolves, Moose, and Griffins so close in the top three of the division.

What’s Next?

The IceHogs are back in action on Friday as they prepare for back-to-back contests against the Texas Stars in Cedar Park, Texas. Friday night’s game is slated for a 7:30 pm Central Time puck drop and then again on Saturday night for a 7 pm Central time puck drop. Rockford closes their four-game road trip on Tuesday with a Central Division matchup against the Iowa Wild in Iowa. Tuesday night’s puck drop is set for 7 pm Central Time.

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With eight games remaining this season, four of which are against Divisional opponents, the IceHogs find themselves on the cusp of locking down a Calder Cup Playoff spot. But, will the ever-changing roster that Rockford is experiencing hinder their chances?

Central Division Standings

Heading into Wednesday night’s action, here are the Central Division standings (Games remaining):

1. Manitoba Moose – 39-21-8, 86 pts, .632 pts% (8)
2. Chicago Wolves – 37-21-9, 83 pts, .619 pts% (9)
3. Grand Rapids Griffins – 36-24-8, 80 pts, .588 pts% (8)
4. Rockford IceHogs – 35-25-8, 78 pts, .574 pts% (8)
5. Iowa Wild – 30-22-15, 75 pts, .560 pts% (9)
6. Milwaukee Admirals – 34-28-5, 73 pts, .545 pts% (9)
7. Cleveland Monsters – 21-35-10, 52 pts, .394 pts% (10)

IceHogs Playoff Push Coming To Fruition

As Rockford stared down the barrel of the AHL Central Division heading into a 10-game stretch against inter-Division opponents, they were teetering on the brink of falling out of the playoff race, sitting in sixth-place behind the Milwaukee Admirals, Iowa Wild, and Grand Rapids Griffins. Through nine of those games, Rockford has a 6-1-2 record and has jumped from sixth to fourth-place in the Division and currently holds a three-point lead over the Wild for the final Calder Cup Playoff spot, with Iowa having played just one fewer game than Rockford.

There are a few players who have factored majorly in the playoff push that the IceHogs have put together. In net, Collin Delia and Jeff Glass have been a solid one-two punch that is able to give Rockford a chance to win every night. Since January 6, Delia has a sizzling 13-2-4 record after starting the season 1-4-0 in the AHL. As for Glass, since he returned from his stint with the Blackhawks in February, he has gone 3-4-0 with a 1.99 GAA over his last four games (3-1-0). Both goalies give the IceHogs a shot to win moving into the final two and a half weeks of the season.

Collin Delia makes a save against the Chicago Wolves. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

On the blue-line, there is no telling where this Rockford squad would be down the stretch without the contributions of Cody Franson and Adam Clendening. Both joining the team later in the season (Franson by assignment, Clendening by trade), they have provided a huge amount of experience to a young IceHogs locker room and have been driving the production from the blue-line as of late. Clendening has 29 points (3G, 26A) this season, 24 of which have come in his 30 games with Rockford this year. For Franson, although he imagined himself as a full-time Chicago Blackhawk this season, he has taken the leadership role with Rockford and provided a big boost on defense. 20 points (6G, 14A) in 30 games played with Rockford this season, Franson ranks third on the current roster for point per game (.67) and is fourth on the active roster in points for defensemen, having played a fraction of the games.

Finally, up front for the IceHogs has been a mixture of  full-season efforts and a few mid-season finds that have pushed Rockford offensively. Anthony Louis and Tyler Sikura have been major drivers of the IceHogs offense with Louis leading the team with 38 points (12G, 26A), and Sikura not far behind in third on the active roster with 32 points (18G, 14A) and second in goals behind Matthew Highmore’s 21. Add in Lance Bouma and Chris DiDomenico, two players who joined the IceHogs around the NHL trade deadline, and Rockford’s offense has been buzzing over their last ten games, averaging 3.1 goals per contest. Bouma has nine points in his 12 games with Rockford this year and since joining the IceHogs in late February, DiDomenico has 16 points (5G, 11A) in 14 games this year.

For a team that has endured a myriad of changes this season, having those players involved in the changes be able to produce at the levels they have has been a key to the successful run that Rockford has put together.

Roster Moves

Speaking of roster changes, there have been quite a few to catch-up on over the last two weeks. Here are a few of note since the 10-game stretch against the Central Division began:

• March 10 – Matheson Iacopelli returned from assignment to the Indy Fuel (ECHL)
• March 10 – John Hayden recalled by the Chicago Blackhawks
• March 20 – Andreas Martinsen recalled by the Chicago Blackhawks
• March 21 – Victor Ejdsell assigned to Rockford IceHogs from HV71 (SHL)
• March 23 – Joni Tuulola signed PTO
• March 25 – Victor Ejdsell recalled by the Chicago Blackhawks
• March 26 – Matthew Highmore returned from recall to the Chicago Blackhawks
• March 27 – Matt Tomkins recalled from the Indy Fuel (ECHL)

Matthew Highmore of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

The final roster move coming in response to the Blackhawks also placed goaltender J.F. Berube on waivers on Tuesday morning. The loses of Martinsen, Hayden, and the newly acquired Ejdsell would have potentially crippled a lesser squad. But this is not the old IceHogs. Rockford has been able to answer the bell all season, and with the Blackhawks season in flux for most of the time, Rockford has been able to keep pace and now find the right time to get hot and make their moves in the Calder Cup Playoff race.

The re-addition of Matthew Highmore from his 13-game stint with the Blackhawks may be the biggest return they could have at this point in the season. Highmore leads the team in goals with 21, a rookie record for the IceHogs as an AHL organization, and was the team-leader in points when he was recalled with 35 points (21G, 14A) in 56 games.

What’s Next?

The IceHogs return to action tomorrow night (Wednesday, March 28) when they take on the Manitoba Moose for the second of tow games between the teams in Manitoba. On MOnday, Rockford defeated the Moose, 4-2 with a 32-save performance from Delia and multi-point games from Clendening, DiDomenico, and Sikura. Wednesday’s puck drop is scheduled for 7pm Central Time. After Wednesday’s game, the IceHogs return home to close the month of March with a Saturday night contest against the San Jose Barracuda. The second of two meetings between the teams this season, Rockford defeated the Barracuda earlier this year on the road with a 4-2 win in January. Puck drop for Saturday night’s game at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford is set for 6pm Central Time.

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No IceHogs Involved In Blackhawks Deadline Moves

The Blackhawks made two deals on Monday, neither one touched the roster of the IceHogs. First, Chicago dealt forward Ryan Hartman to the Nashville Predators.

• Blackhawks Receive: 2018 1st Round pick, 2018 4th Round pick, Victor Ejdsell
• Predators Receive: Ryan Hartman, 2018 5th Round pick

As the clock struck 2pm, the Blackhawks made their second move of Deadline Day sending forward Tommy Wingels to the Boston Bruins.

• Blackhawks Receive: 2018 Conditional 5th Round pick (If Bruins reach Eastern Conference Semi-Finals or re-sign Wingels, pick becomes 2018 4th Round)
• Bruins Receive: Tommy Wingels

While rumors swirled that the Blackhawks may have been trying to deal defenseman Brent Seabrook and/or forward Artem Anisimov, the deals would have potentially needed to involve prospects to sweeten any type of deal. The IceHogs were able to come away from the NHL Deadline without losing any key personnel.

As far as trade reaction goes, the Blackhawks were essentially able to turn Ryan Hartman and Tommy Wingels into 2018 1st and 4th round picks and a “near NHL-ready” prospect, to quote general manager Stan Bowman, in Ejdsell. All-in-all, a decent haul for what was being moved. It hurts to lose a player like Hartman, but the return makes the most sense for trying to rebuild towards the future. With that 1st Round pick coming from the Predators, it’ll more than likely come in the late 20’s, maybe even as high as 30th or 31st, we’ll see.

Pushing Paper

As well as making trades on Monday, the Blackhawks and IceHogs needed to be mindful of the roster limits of the AHL. With the passing of the NHL Trade Deadline, the AHL rosters would be locked for who could participate in any postseason action. With that in mind, the Blackhawks made “paper transactions” to make sure that David Kampf, Carl Dahlstrom, and J.F. Berube would be eligible for any kind of Calder Cup Playoff action the IceHogs may see in the Spring.

Kampf originally was recalled by Chicago on Dec. 27 and since then, he has skated in 27 games with eight points (3G, 5A). In his time with the IceHogs, Kampf played in 30 games with 16 points (7G, 9A).

Dahlstrom, after being named an AHL All-Star in January, was recalled by the Blackhawks on Feb. 9 and since has skated in seven games with two assists. While in Rockford this season, he played in 47 games with 23 points (3G, 20A).

J.F. Berube makes a save against the Cleveland Monsters. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

Berube has had two stints with the Blackhawks this season, but made his first start with Chicago just a few days ago on Friday, Feb. 23 against the Sharks. In two appearances in the NHL this year, Berube is 1-0-0 with a 1.73 GAA and a .947 save percentage. With the IceHogs, he made 15 appearances with a 7-8-0 record, a 2.37 GAA and .920 save percentage.

Roster Moves To Make

Aside from the paper transactions and trades made on Monday, the Blackhawks also made a pair of moves to open up roster space in Chicago. Forward Lance Bouma was placed on waivers on Sunday and cleared on Monday afternoon. Once clearing, Bouma was assigned to the IceHogs. This season in Chicago, Bouma has skated in 53 games with nine points (3G, 6A) and has 95 games of AHL experience, all with the Abbotsford Heat.

With Bouma being sent down to the IceHogs, the Blackhawks made a corresponding move by re-calling forward Matthew Highmore. A free agent signing in the Summer, Highmore leads the IceHogs with 35 points (21G, 14A) in 56 games played. In his latest game against the Hershey Bears, Highmore netted his 21st goal of the season and in doing so, set the franchise AHL record for goal-scoring by a rookie.

Matthew Highmore drives to the net against the Bakersfield Condors. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

Along with Highmore, it would not be surprising to see the Blackhawks recall players like John Hayden, Gustav Forsling, or Anthony Louis and give them a shot with Chicago before season’s end. Hayden played in 39 games with the Blackhawks this season before being sent to Rockford on Jan. 8. Since then, Hayden has skated in 19 games with 14 points (5G, 9A). Forsling is another player that began the 2017-18 season with the Blackhawks, but was sent to the IceHogs on Jan. 21 and has since skated in 12 games with three points.

Finally, Anthony Louis has been one of the more underrated forwards for Rockford this season. When players like Kampf, Tomas Jurco, and Vince Hinostroza were recalled by the Blackhawks, Louis and Highmore took the offensive reins. Louis has 32 points (10G, 22A) in 51 games his first full year in the AHL this season. With the trades of Hartman and Wingels, along with the Bouma assignment, the Blackhawks have the roster space and the IceHogs have the players worthy of a look in the NHL.

What’s Next?

The IceHogs return to action on Wednesday as they host the Texas Stars in Rockford. Puck drop is set for 7pm Central Time at the BMO Harris Ban Center. Both the Stars and IceHogs are fighting to keep their Calder Cup Playoff hopes alive as the Stars sit in 3rd place in the AHL Pacific Division with a 29-19-7 record, 65 points and a .591 point-percentage. As for Rockford, they currently are on the outside looking in at the Playoff picture. Sitting in 5th place in the AHL Central Division with a 27-23-6 record, 60 points and a .536 point-percentage, the IceHogs trail the Iowa Wild by .047 point-percentage points for 4th place and a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs. As of Monday, Rockford has 20 games to play, while the Wild have 22 to play. There is work to be done for the IceHogs.

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Roster Shakeup Ahead?

While no team is immune to the inevitable roster turnover in the AHL, the IceHogs have seen their fair share of talent come and go this season. Whether getting called up, assigned down, or traded, the IceHogs roster at the moment misses a lot of what made them a dangerous team early in the season. No player had a bigger impact in the first two dozen games for the IceHogs this year than Vince Hinostroza. He was nearly a point-per-game player with 22 points in his 23 games with Rockford, but was called up to the Chicago Blackhawks early in December and has not looked like he has any intention of coming back to Rockford this season, or any other season for that matter.

Along with Hinostroza, players like Tomas Jurco, Carl Dahlstrom, Erik Gustafsson, and David Kampf have been key contributors this season for Rockford that have been recalled to the Blackhawks and may not return to the IceHogs this season. Alongside the call-ups are the re-assignments, and those have benefited the IceHogs this season with players like Cody Franson, Gustav Forsling, John Hayden, and Tanner Kero making their marks in the AHL this season.

Tomas Jurco of the Rockford IceHogs (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

The problem that will give the Rockford roster the biggest issue as they attempt to make a playoff push, is the NHL trade deadline. The deadline ends at 3pm Eastern Time on Monday, Feb. 26. With the Chicago Blackhawks looking to be sellers as the final days approach, the IceHogs roster could very well be the target of a few deals. Already players like Ville Pokka and Laurent Dauphin have been parts of trades out of the Blackhawks organization that had sizable impacts with the IceHogs this year.

The weekend will have its fair share of action as the IceHogs hit the road for games against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Hershey Bears, but with the deadline clock ticking down, it’ll be interesting to see who comes back to Rockford with the team and who is in the lineup for the Wednesday game against the Texas Stars.

Henrik, so hot right now. Henrik.

One player that the IceHogs added to the mix on a Professional Tryout agreement earlier this month is Henrik Samuelsson. Since joining the team on Feb. 11, Samuelsson has three goals in three games played and has seen his fair share of quality ice-time with Rockford.

Henrik Samuelsson of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

There is a fair chance that Samuelsson has already played his way into the favor Jeremy Colliton, being given powerplay opportunities and top-minutes, but the pace Samuelsson’s on may be an illusion early on. Hopefully for Rockford’s sake, it is not.

Samuelsson’s Media Day: 2-20-18

IceHogs Lead With Balanced Attack, Face Defensive Questions

While the roster has endured its changes, the IceHogs still have the ability to apply pressure offensively from multiple angles. Line combinations like Tyler Sikura, Andreas Martinsen, and John Hayden rolled along with a grouping like Anthony Louis, Matthew Highmore, and Henrik Samuelsson can give opposing teams fits to deal with the size, speed, and skill combinations that Rockford can put together. Since the departures of Hinostroza and Jurco this season, top forward rookies Matthew Highmore and Anthony Louis have been the key players jump starting the offense, along with additions like John Hayden, Tanner Kero, and Adam Clendening in the back half of the season.

Anthony Louis shoots on net against the Milwaukee Admirals. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

The biggest issue will be defending. While the third-highest scoring team in the AHL Western Conference, the IceHogs are a -3 in goal-differential this season. Losing J.F. Berube to injury for two months and then getting recalled by the Chicago Blackhawks, paired with Jeff Glass being recalled by the Blackhawks for a month and a half put Rockford in a pinch between the pipes. Matt Tomkins and Collin Delia were forced into roles as an AHL goaltending tandem when they were expected to be the Indy Fuel’s one-two punch in the ECHL. While Tomkins and Delia were efficient enough in net to keep the IceHogs in most games, and on more than one occasion steal a game, the IceHogs were missing their original tandem in Glass and Berube. Getting Glass back and having a now AHL-tested Delia in net should give the IceHogs an advantage in net moving forward.

Along with improvements in net, the IceHogs have improvements to make on the blue-line as well. While the addition and return of longtime Rockford Adam Clendening has been a plus, the loss of Ville Pokka and Jeremy Colliton’s use of Robin Norell as a forward has left the Rockford defensive core on the edge. Erik Gustafsson and Carl Dahlstrom have been recalled and with the Blackhawks for some time now, while Cody Franson and Gustav Forsling have been working towards getting back to the Chicago lineup for almost just as long. The problem lines with the next few days as Clendening, Franson, and Gustafsson could all be pieces of trade deadline moves. The IceHogs will need to have players like rookies Darren Raddysh, Luc Snuggerud, and veteran Viktor Svedberg pull their weight as questions around the defensive rosters stability hang in the air over the weekend.

What’s Next?

As mentioned before, the IceHogs travel over the weekend to faces the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Friday night in Pennsylvania. Puck drop is set for 6:05pm Central Time on Friday night. After that, the IceHogs stay in Pennsylvania to take on the Hershey Bears on Saturday night. Saturday night’s puck drop is set for 6pm Central Time. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is currently in Calder Cup Playoff spot in the AHL Eastern Conference sitting in fifth-place at 30-15-5 with 65 points and a .650 points-percentage, while Hershey sits in 12th place in the East with a 22-25-7 record, 51 points and a .472 points-percentage.

Again, a reminder that the NHL trade deadline is Monday, Feb. 26 at 3pm Eastern Time (2pm Central Time).

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Wednesday: Rockford IceHogs def. San Antonio Rampage, 3-1

The IceHogs and Rampage would exchange scoring chances early on in the first period and looked to be heading for a scoreless tie after the first 20 minutes. But with under two minutes to play in the period, Highmore got the IceHogs on to board with his 19th goal of the season. Highmore was able to get a stick on a Viktor Svedberg slapshot and found the back of the net to give Rockford the 1-0 lead after the first period.

In the second period, the Rampage would even the scoring with a goal from Felix Girard just past the eight minute mark of the middle frame. Girard was able to out-battle Luc Snuggerud behind the IceHogs net and but the puck up high past Delia for the equalizer. Rockford wouldn’t find an answer in the second period, but a late powerplay would carry over into the third period and just 22 seconds into the third period, it would be Highmore again getting Rockford the lead.

HIGHLIGHTS: IceHogs def. Rampage, 3-1

Highmore’s backhander was his second of the night and 20th goal of the season to give the IceHogs the 2-1 lead early in the third period. With 20 goals on the season, Highmore becomes just the second IceHogs rookie to hit the 20-goal mark since Rockford moved into the AHL. It would be a banner night for the IceHogs’ powerplay as just past the eight-minute mark, Adam Clendening was able to find the back of the net on the powerplay to give the IceHogs the 3-1 lead. Anthony Louis set-up Clendening for a one-timer from the blue-line and it found the back of the net for Clendening’s third goal of the year, second since re-joining the IceHogs in January.

Delia would be able to shut the door the rest of the way, making 33 saves on 34 shots faced, giving the IceHogs the 3-1 win over the Rampage. Delia improved his record to 7-5-2 on the season, going 6-1-2 over his last 9 starts for Rockford.

Highmore Poised To Break Scoring Record

With his fifth multi-goal game of the season, Matthew Highmore joined current teammate Tanner Kero as the only rookies to reach the 20-goal mark. Kero was able to tally 20 goals in his AHL rookie season with Rockford in 2015-16, in 60 games played. Highmore has been able to reach the 20-goal mark this season in 49 games played and is on pace for 30 goals over a full 76 game season. If Highmore were to reach that 30-goal mark, he would be the first to do it for Rockford since the 2012-13 season when Jeremy Morin scored 30 goals, and just the fourth to do so since the IceHogs joined the AHL (Morin, Jeff Taffe, Troy Brouwer).

Matthew Highmore of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Greg Hamil)

In a rookie class that has been the life-force behind the IceHogs this season, Highmore has continually been in the spotlight as a finisher and reliable centerman in all situations. Highmore ranks 9th in the AHL for rookie scoring with 31 points and his 20 goals places him in a tie with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Daniel Sprong for second-place among rookie goal scorers and just one goal behind Charlotte’s Warren Foegele for the rookie goal scoring lead.

What’s Next?

The IceHogs return to action on Friday night as they host the Milwaukee Admirals at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford. The IceHogs and Admirals are both right in the middle of the hunt for spots in the Calder Cup Playoffs and for ground in the Central Division standings. Entering Friday’s game, Rockford sits in fifth-place in the division with a 25-18-6 record, 56 points, and a .571 point-percentage, while the Admirals are in sixth-place with a 22-20-4 record, 48 points, and a .522 point-percentage.

The Admirals come into Friday’s game with a 3-7-0 record over their last ten games and Rockford would be wise to take advantage of an Admirals team in a bit of a slump. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm Central Time on Friday night.

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Fourth-place in the AHL Central Division and Sixth-Place in the AHL Western Conference, the IceHogs are in a much better spot than last season with youth and depth skill in their lineup and a bright future ahead. With that in mind, here are a couple of “mid-season” awards for the IceHogs at the AHL All-Star Break.

IceHogs Top Rookie: Matthew Highmore

There will be plenty of mentions for Matthew Highmore throughout this, but as an undrafted, free-agent signing by the Chicago Blackhawks last Spring, Highmore has been one of, if not the brightest highlights of the IceHogs’ season so far. The Halifax, Nova Scotia native played 289 games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Saint Johns Sea Dogs, tallying 247 points along the way and helping the Sea Dogs to a QMJHL Championship in the 2016-17 season.

Matthew Highmore of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

After signing with the Blackhawks, Highmore made a splash at the Prospect Summer Camp and during Training Camp before heading to the IceHogs. Playing in all 46 games so far this season, Highmore has racked up 29 points with 18 goals and 11 assists and was named an AHL All-Star. Highmore’s 29 points rank him in the top-ten for AHL Rookies and his 18 goals are tied for the third-most among AHL rookies. In a stacked rookie class for the IceHogs, Highmore has been at the top of the list all season.

IceHogs Top Goaltender: Goalie By Committee

It’s been an interesting season for the IceHogs in net. Coming into the year, J.F. Berube and Jeff Glass were slated to be the starter and back-up goaltenders for Rockford, but due to injuries with Berube and Corey Crawford of the Blackhawks, Glass was forced into a back-up role with Chicago and Indy Fuel goalies Matt Tomkins and Collin Delia were called upon to be the starters in Rockford.

Collin Delia of the Rockford IceHogs (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

Over the entire season combined, Glass, Berube, Delia, and Tomkins have a combined Goals Against Average (GAA) of 2.94 and a combined Save Percentage of .902 and have all combined to put the IceHogs in the position they are in right now. For the time being, Delia continues to take the starting role for the IceHogs with Tomkins playing his back-up. Berube looks to be close to returning from his  lower-body injury and could inject the Rockford roster with some quality starts in net down the stretch of the season.

IceHogs Top Defenseman: Carl Dahlstrom

Last season was the first full North American season for IceHogs defenseman Carl Dahlstrom. A second-round pick by the Blackhawks in the 2013 NHL Draft, Dahlstrom played in 117 games with Linköping HC in the SHL in Sweden from 2013-16 before making his full-time AHL debut last season. Dahlstrom is one of the more defensive-minded defenders on the Rockford squad and is regularly called upon to shut-down top players on the opposition and is trusted in all situations by head coach Jeremy Colliton.

Last season, Dahlstrom played in 70 games and tallied 11 points with only 16 penalty minutes. Already this season, he has surpassed his offensive output with 23 points in 44 games played and leads the IceHogs in assists with 20 and plus/minus with a +15 rating. Dahlstrom was named an AHL All-Star this season and is one of the rising young defenders in the Blackhawks organization.

IceHogs Top Forward (not named Matthew Highmore): Anthony Louis

As mentioned before, the Rockford roster is full of players skating in their first full-seasons of professional hockey. A number of forwards are having great seasons, the most impressive being Matthew Highmore. But to only focus on Highmore would do a disservice to the rest of the standouts that Rockford has at their forward positions. One such player is another rookie and Illinois native, Anthony Louis.

Anthony Louis on Pink in the Rink night for the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

A Sixth-Round pick by the Blackhawks in the 2013 NHL Draft, Louis played in the United States Development Program before playing four seasons with the University of Miami (Ohio). In his four years with the Red Hawks, Louis skated in 145 games and tallied 126 points and was named the NCHC Conference Forward of the Year in 2016-17 before joining the IceHogs for 13 games at the end of last season. So far in 2017-18, Louis has played in 41 games and is second on the team in assists with 19 and points with 26.

IceHogs Most Valuable Player: Matthew Highmore

Again, Matthew Highmore shows his value to the IceHogs this season in all facets of the game. Highmore is regularly called upon to take important draws in the defensive zone, plays quality minutes at five-on-five, and plays in all special teams situations for the IceHogs. Highmore is a quality finisher and generates a major amount of chances for Rockford offensively. On the current active roster, Highmore leads the IceHogs in shot attempts with 115.

Matthew Highmore of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

The Blackhawks organization has a good amount of depth that is showing a lot of promise in Rockford this season. Players like Highmore, Dahlstrom, and Louis have stepped up in Rockford while guys like Vince Hinostroza, Erik Gustafsson, and David Kampf, who all started the season with Rockford, are making impressions with Chicago. For an organization that is teetering on the edge of buyer or seller as the trade deadline looms, as well as potentially preparing for a rebuild or re-tool of the NHL roster, the options in the AHL have a load of potential to be future pieces for the Blackhawks.

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While the Central Division failed to continue their dominance at the AHL All-Star Challenge, both Highmore and Dahlstrom had impressive showings while the spotlight was on the AHL. Highmore competed in the ‘Fastest Skater’ contest and finished second, just .3 seconds behind Hartford Wolf Pack defenseman John Gilmour. Dahlstrom participated in the ‘Rapid Shot’ contest as well in the Skills Competitions before the All-Star Challenge on Monday night.

Even though the Central Division would go 0-3 in the All-Star Challenge, Dahlstrom and Highmore did put up three points combined between the two of them, in the ways that IceHogs fans have come to expect. Dahlstrom, the team leader in assists, had two helpers over the three game stretch. Highmore, the team leader in goals, netted a goal in the opening match-up between the Central and Atlantic Divisions.

Highmore, Dahlstrom Provide Optimism For Blackhawks Future

While the AHL All-Star game is sometimes over-looked due to misconceptions about the league itself, being “Junior Varsity” to the NHL, over simply due to scheduling the NHL All-Star Weekend to overlap in TV coverage, one thing is for sure: the Chicago Blackhawks, and their fan base, should not be overlooking Dahlstrom and Highmore.

For a franchise that is definitely in the middle of an organizational transition, having skilled young players buried on your roster can be a blessing and a curse. For the Blackhawks, having Highmore and Dahlstrom developing with the IceHogs while imminent roster moves, front office questions, and uncertainty of organizational direction looming large, it’s almost like having good poker cards in your back pocket. Sure, Highmore and Dahlstrom might not be ‘Aces’ but having a “10” or a “Jack” in your deck isn’t all that bad.

The Blackhawks have a lot up in the air at the moment. If they decide to go all-in on a playoff push, they have pieces to make those types of moves. If they decide that a re-tool or rebuild is the answer, then the idea would be to have the roster turnover change so that players like Dahlstrom and Highmore can get opportunities to show what they can do at the NHL level and if the Blackhawks feel they are part of the future of the organization.

IceHogs At The AHL All-Star Weekend

Thanks to the good people who run the IceHogs twitter account, and to Carl Dahlstrom himself, here is a look at the AHL All-Star weekend for Dahlstrom and Highmore:

Let’s go boys!!#AHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/KhTmwKMtOs

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) January 29, 2018

#PeoplesChamp ? pic.twitter.com/O4ZQGoT981

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) January 29, 2018

Truly an honor to represent the @goicehogs at the 2018 AHL All Star event! Had a great time! #AHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/3dQ2yedyob

— Carl Dahlstrom (@CalleDahlstrom) January 30, 2018

OH HI, HIGHMORE!! ?

3-2 Atlantic at the break…(p.s. thx for the assist @Chicago_Wolves) pic.twitter.com/EYmFkBrZXZ

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) January 30, 2018

A few tough bounces tonight but always proud of All-Stars @MHighmore15 and @CalleDahlstrom ? Congrats guys! #AHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/tsUDrxAKZc

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) January 30, 2018

What’s Next?

The IceHogs are off until Friday night when they host the AHL Central leading Manitoba Moose. Manitoba has seen their once monstrous lead in the Central Division down to 10 points over the IceHogs, who sit in fourth-place behind the Iowa Wild and Chicago Wolves. While the IceHogs lost their final game before heading into the AHL All-Star break, they are 5-2-3 over their last ten games and have points in nine of their last eleven games.

Following Friday night’s contest, the IceHogs will travel East to take on the Chicago Wolves in an Illinois Lottery Cup Rivalry game. Chicago has been one of the hottest teams in the AHL as of late with points in 19 of their last 22 games dating back to December 9. Both games are slated for 7pm CT puck drops.

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IceHogs “Pink The Rink”

The IceHogs celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Rockford Peaches by wearing Peaches-inspired sweaters, which will replicate the original uniforms worn by the team from 1943-1954. The jerseys will be available via blind-silent auction during the game, and a select number will be made available via online auction the following week, with proceeds benefiting breast cancer research.

@megancavanagh8 the Rockford IceHogs will wear these jerseys on Jan 26 for Pink in the Rink night for breast cancer research, plus honoring the 75th anniversary of the Peaches. We would like to officially invite you to be our guest of honor that night. We need a great hitter! pic.twitter.com/DnFZ9769Oc

— Chris Toltzman (@TOLTZ) November 15, 2017

Excited to celebrate Rockford Peaches baseball during #PinkintheRink tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/lOSoHi89Mf

— Joseph Zakrzewski (@JoeyZRadio) January 25, 2018

Also part of the “Pink the Rink” night is the ice surface of the BMO Harris Bank Center has been dyed pink and the “Locks for Love” will be in attendance taking hair donations during the game. All benefiting breast cancer awareness and research.

Final Games Before AHL All-Star Weekend

The contest marks the second and final meeting between the teams this season. Earlier this month, the IceHogs traveled to Ontario as part of a three-game California road trip and came away with a 5-2 victory. Coming into the weekend, the IceHogs sit in third place in the AHL Central Division with a 23-16-5 record with 51 points and a .580 point percentage. Rockford trails second-place Iowa Wild by .001 percentage points with only .011 percentage points separating second and fourth place in the Central Division. The Reign currently are in fifth-place in the AHL Pacific Division with a 21-16-2 record, 44 points, and a .564 points percentage.

The IceHogs follow-up Friday night’s contest with a road game against the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday night to close the book on the “first half” of the AHL season, as the AHL All-Star Weekend in Utica, New York takes place on Sunday and Monday. Heading into the weekend, the Griffins sit in sixth pace in the Central Division at 21-18-5 with 47 points and a .534 points percentage.

With the season heading into February after the All-Star Break, the IceHogs would be wise not to look too far ahead to the break and get much-needed points in what appear to be winnable games this weekend. While it is still early to be scoreboard watching, knowing where they stand in the Central Division and Western Conference can keep the young IceHogs group focused on the task at hand. Making the playoffs for this young group would be a major accomplishment.

The IceHogs will be represented at the AHL All-Star game by rookie forward Matthew Highmore and defenseman Carl Dahlstrom. Both players were named replacements for Vince Hinostroza and Erik Gustafsson, but both have had much deserving seasons on their own merits. Highmore leads the team in scoring with 29 points (18G, 11A) and his 18 goals ties him for second in the AHL among rookies. Dahlstrom leads the IceHogs defensemen in scoring with 21 points (3G, 18A) as well as leading the team with a plus/minus rating of +15. He has already nearly doubled his point production in 70 games last season and has been one of Rockford’s most consistent defenseman at both ends of the ice.

Friday night’s “Pink the Rink” game is set for a 7pm CT puck drop at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford. Saturday night’s game in Grand Rapids is set for a 6pm CT puck drop.

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IceHogs Play Well Enough On Six-Game Road Trip

Heading into the weekend, the IceHogs held a six-game point streak that began on January 6. Thanks to a pair of two-point nights from John Hayden and Matthew Highmore, Rockford was able to score four-straight goals on the Monsters Friday night to take a 4-2 lead late into the third period before holding on for the 4-3 win. The win extended the IceHogs’ point streak to seven games with a 4-0-3 record over that span.

The streak would come to an end the next night though, as the IceHogs would fall to the Grand Rapids Griffins on the final night of the six-game road stretch. Hayden was able to continue his three-game point streak with the game’s opening goal just 1:22 into the period. But the IceHogs would face a 2-1 deficit heading into the third period before Tanner Kero tied the game at 2-2. Kero started his stint with the IceHogs slowly, just one point in his first seven games after joining the team, but has come on as of late with 11 points over his last 12 games. Kero’s tying goal wouldn’t be enough though as the Griffins were able to do enough to stop the IceHog’s point-streak.

Matt Tomkins started both games for Rockford, earning his first AHL win on Friday with 32 saves on 35 shots against the Monsters. On the season, Tomkins holds a 1-2-2 record with a 3.91 GAA and a .880 save percentage.

Keeping Pace In The Central Division

While nothing is won in January, the IceHogs are putting themselves in the right spots as the mid-season grind continues through the winter. Of course having a seven-game point streak never hurts. Heading into Monday’s action, Rockford sits in a tie for third-place in the AHL Central Division with a 22-16-5 record, 49 points in the standings, and a .570 point-percentage through 43 games. Rockford is tied with the Chicago Wolves for third-place and trails the Iowa Wild for second-place in the Central Division based on point-percentage.

While the Manitoba Moose are the Central Division leaders by a wide margin, the difference between second and sixth place is three points and .037 point-percentage points. Again, nothing is won or lost in January, but the IceHogs are in a position now where every point in the standings can make a difference.

Catching Up With The IceHogs

Head Coach Jeremy Colliton:

AHL All-Star Carl Dahlstrom:

AHL All-Star Matthew Highmore:

What’s Next? IceHogs Prepare For Return To Rockford

The IceHogs welcomed Gustav Forsling on Monday afternoon after the Chicago Blackhawks assigned the 21-year old Swedish defenseman. In 41 games for Chicago this season, Forsling has 13 points (3G, 10A) and a minus-2 rating with eight penalty minutes. Forsling played 30 games for Rockford last season and while there is no immediate timetable for his current stint with the IceHogs, the team plans to use him in all situations and give him quality ice-time that he was missing with the Blackhawks, much like they are with Kero and Hayden. 

Forsling’s first game comes on Tuesday night as the IceHogs return to home ice in Rockford to take on the Bakersfield Condors. Sitting in last place in the AHL Pacific Division, the Condors hold a 3-2 overtime victory over the IceHogs earlier this on month when Rockford was on a three-game California trip just a week ago. Rockford needs to be able to take more than one point away from Tuesday night’s game if they are to continue staying in the hunt in the Central Division and the Western Conference as Spring rolls around.

Puck drop for Tuesday’s game is set for 7:00 pm CT at the BMO Harris Bank Center.

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Highmore, Dahlstrom Step Into AHL Spotlight For IceHogs

In December, the Chicago Blackhawks recalled Hinostroza from the IceHogs after posting 22 points (9G, 13A) in 23 games and has since posted nine points (3G, 6A) in 15 games since his call-up. For Gustafsson, his recall came earlier this month after playing in 25 games and scoring 17 points (3G, 14A) for the IceHogs this season. After the recalls, the IceHogs were left without representation in the AHL Central Division for the All-Star Weekend.

There was little question as to who would be called up for replacements, though, as Highmore leads the team in scoring with 26 points (17G, 9A) through 41 games and leads all AHL Rookies in shots on goal with 102 and Dahlstrom has already notched a career-high 19 points (3G, 16A) through 39 games this season, tied for the team lead for defensemen with Ville Pokka.

"It's a great opportunity to pick some guys' brains…it's an exciting time and we'll make the most of it"

Hear from #IceHogs points leader, @MHighmore15, on his All-Star selection! pic.twitter.com/5PXevVr2rr

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) January 18, 2018

This marks the first AHL All-Star appearances for both Highmore and Dahlstrom, as well as the first major All-Star nod for either player in their young careers.

The AHL All-Star Weekend takes place on January 28 and 29 in Utica, New York. The AHL Skills Competiton will take place on Sunday the 28th before the AHL All-Star game on Monday the 29th. Both competitions will be broadcast on the NHL Network in the United States and on Sportsnet and Sportsnet NOW in Canada.

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IceHogs Working to Get Through “Dog-Days” of January

The month started out with a hard grind with a three games in three days stretch for Rockford, in which the IceHogs were able to get three points with a 1-1-1 stretch over those three games. Including a loss to the Cleveland Monsters to begin the season, the IceHogs have started off 1-2-1 to begin the new year and have a 4-5-1 record over their last ten games as of January 9. Not ideal considering that the Manitoba Moose are 17-1-3 since November 15 and the Chicago Wolves are 12-0-2 over their last 14 games as of January 9. Needless to say, if the IceHogs want to climb the standings, they too will need to string wins together.

Easier said than done, of course. Coming off of their three games in three days stretch, Rockford will head out on a six game road trip that will take them to the Pacific time zone for three games against the Ontario Reign, San Jose Barracuda, and Bakersfield Condors before heading back to the Midwest for three games against the Cleveland Monsters (twice) and the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Still playing with two goalies that started the season with the Indy Fuel in Collin Delia and Matt Tomkins, and with a plethora of players heading into and out of Rockford this week, the IceHogs have a tall task in January to keep up in the Central Division.

Roster Shakeups Galore

The IceHogs have had one heck of a second week of January as far as transactions go. It was a long stretch to begin the season before the IceHogs and Blackhawks had any major movement.

Throughout the month of December, the IceHogs and Blackhawks moved the likes of Ville Pokka, Tanner Kero, Vince Hinostroza, David Kampf, and Jeff Glass with the latter three still playing in Chicago as of January 9. But in just the last few days there have been a number of players moving up and down within the organization as Tomas Jurco and Erik Gustafsson head from Rockford to Chicago and John Hayden and Cody Franson from Chicago down to Rockford. Additionally, the IceHogs sent Robin Press to the Indy Fuel and recalled Alex Wideman.

For Hinostroza, Kampf, Jurco, and Gustafsson the opportunity to make an impact for the organization at the NHL level is surely welcomed. Hinostroza led the IceHogs in scoring when he was recalled and has tallied eight points in 11 games with Chicago. For Kampf in his North American debut season, being one of the top-players that Head Coach Jeremy Colliton trusted in Rockford was a large stamp of approval and led to his recall in December. Since joining the Blackhawks, Kampf has two assists in six games and has played major minutes on the penalty-kill.

Tomas Jurco of the Rockford IceHogs (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

Jurco and Gustafsson are the most recent call-ups from the IceHogs and have opportunities to make, potentially, one last impression for the Blackhawks as the NHL trade deadline approaches. Jurco, a trade deadline acquisition last season for Chicago, left a lot of people wanting a lot more out of him in his short stint with the Blackhawks. Starting the season with the IceHogs, Jurco seems to have found more confidence in his game as he ranked second on the team in scoring with 25 points in 36 games played before being recalled.

Gustafsson is in a similar boat as he has not made an impact for the Blackhawks since playing in 41 games during the 2015-16 season. He spent all of last season with the club in Rockford and aside from an injury that sidelined him for just about a month’s time, Gustafsson has been the most reliable defenseman for the IceHogs this season. While it’s possible both of their time with the NHL club will be short, it goes without saying that with both players becoming restricted free-agents at season’s end, the time to “show me” may be now.

Finally, with all these moves, the two top names that are heading down to the AHL are veteran Cody Franson and kinda-rookie John Hayden. As of late, both players have left a little to be desired from the Blackhawks, but their paths out of Rockford may be very different.

For Hayden, playing in a fourth-line grinder role fits his style of play as a big-body power forward. But, to stick in the NHL as a fourth-line grinder is not what the Blackhawks should have in mind for the 22-year old out of Yale. Hayden developed his game at the NCAA level and netted 21 goals in 33 games as a Senior Captain for the Bulldogs. Watching Hayden in the Summer at Prospect Camp and seeing his game at Yale, the scoring touch is very much there for him. He has not had the opportunity to showcase that very much this season, so the plan for him needs to be playing quality minutes and be more skill-oriented in his role. The hope is that time with the IceHogs will give Hayden more confidence and make him more effective when the time comes to bring him back to the Blackhawks, much like the organization did with Nick Schmaltz last season.

Franson’s case has become a bit murky. He joined the team out of training camp on a fairly team-friendly one-year, $1M deal for an NHL vet of over 500 games and 200 points as a defenseman. Franson started the season off well and his contribution were a welcome surprise to fans and the organization. But as of late, his lack of foot-speed and production on the score-sheet have not been the best for the Blackhawks. After clearing waivers and being sent to the IceHogs, Franson becomes a player buried in the AHL that could still make a nice addition to an NHL organization out there. He has always been an analytics-favored defenseman, but for some reason, teams felt that passing on him through waivers was all fine and good. His last stint in the AHL was just six games with the Milwaukee Admirals in the 2009-10 season and with the NHL trade deadline approaching, Franson’s stint with the IceHogs could be short-lived as a deal could be made with the Blackhawks defensive core emerging beyond him.

New All-Stars?

With both Vince Hinostroza and Erik Gustafsson being recalled by the Blackhawks, the IceHogs have effectively lost both of their AHL All-Star’s just two and a half weeks away from the All-Star break. It’s possible that Gustafsson’s stay with the Blackhakws could be short enough to have him return to Rockford before the AHL All-Star weekend on January 28-29, but Hinostroza will most likely not be returning to the IceHogs that quickly, or at all for that matter. With his play providing a jolt to the Blackhawks lineup, Hinostroza could have potentially played his last games of the season with the IceHogs already.

Matthew Highmore of the Rockford IceHogs. (Courtesy: Todd Reicher)

In their absence, the IceHogs have at least one player that has a very compelling argument to be a replacement in the AHL All-Star weekend. Rookie Matthew Highmore has been quite the addition to the IceHogs and the Blackhawks organization as a whole.

An undrafted free agent signing in the spring of last season, Highmore’s rookie season with Rockford has led the way for the IceHogs’ rookie class. With 26 points in 37 games played, Highmore leads the team in scoring and leads all AHL rookies in goal-scoring with 17 goals so far. His 26 points also rank him in the top-ten of rookie scoring overall. IceHogs Head Coach Jeremy Colliton has found yet another rookie on his roster that he can play in every situation as Highmore has played top-line center along with major minutes on both the penalty-kill and powerplay units.

If Hinostroza and/or Gustafsson don’t make their ways back to the AHL in time, Highmore should be an easy addition to the AHL Central Division All-Star roster.

What’s Next?

As mentioned before, the IceHogs are staring at a tough test as the next six games will all be away from the BMO Harris Bank Center. The good news for Rockford is that every team they play on this upcoming six game road trip are below them in the AHL Western Conference standings. Granted no game is easy in the AHL, but for the IceHogs, the games right in front of them all fall into the “winnable” category. It all begins on Wednesday, January 10 when the IceHogs roll into Ontario, California to take on the Ontario Reign.

After Rockford returns from the six game road trip, they will have back-to-back homes games before finishing the month of January on the road for a game against the Grand Rapids Griffins before taking some time off for the AHL All-Star Weekend.

The post IceHogs: January To Be Critical Month For Rockford appeared first on The Rink.

Thursday: Rockford IceHogs def. Iowa Wild, 6-3

Opening the action in the three games in three nights stretch, the IceHogs traveled to take on the Iowa Wild. The Wild were joined by Zach Parise as he was assigned for a conditioning stint while on Long-Term Injured Reserve for the Minnesota Wild. It marked Parise’s first AHL action since the 2004-05 lockout season.

It took just three minutes for the IceHogs to open the scoring as Alexandre Fortin put home his third goal of the season to give the IceHogs the 1-0 lead. The lead would last all of 12 seconds as the Wild tied the game with a goal from Luke Kunin. Kunin’s sixth goal of the season, with an assist from Parise made it a 1-1 game.

The IceHogs would retake the lead just five minutes later as Matthew Highmore tallied his team-leading 12th goal of the year, giving Rockford the 2-1 lead. Again, the lead was short-lived for Rockford as Iowa tied it up less than three minutes later on a goal from Justin Kloos. Three minutes after that, the Wild took the 3-2 lead with a goal coming from Pat Cannone. His 11th goal of the year and the Wild took the 3-2 lead into the first intermission.

It would stay that way until late in the second period when Tyler Sikura was able to tie the game back up at 33 with his fourth goal of the season. Shortly after Sikura’s equalizer, the IceHogs took the 43 lead with Highmore’s second goal of the game, coming on the powerplay. The goal coming on the powerplay has become something of spotting a unicorn for the IceHogs who hold the dubious award for AHL’s worst powerplay of the season so far.

Rockford would add to their lead just over two minutes into the third period as William Pelletier tallied his third goal of the season to make it a 5-3 game. The IceHogs would bookend the third period with goals as Highmore netted his third goal of the game with an empty-net goal with less than a minute to play. The goal marked Highmore’s second career AHL Hat-Trick and placed him second in the AHL in rookie goal scoring with 14 goals on the season.

HIGHLIGHTS

Collin Delia made his second ever start in the AHL for the IceHogs, his second against the Wild in as many games. Delia was good enough for Rockford, stopping 15 of 18 shots faced and notching his first career AHL win. Also with the win, the IceHogs put some valuable space between them and Iowa in the AHL Central Division for the time being.

Friday: Iowa Wild def. Rockford IceHogs, 5-3

After getting the win in Iowa, the IceHogs and Wild were ready to do it all again on Friday night back in Rockford. The Wild would be without Parise as he was recalled back to Minnesota earlier in the day. Collin Delia would get the nod in net after notching his first career AHL win on Thursday night.

Rockford would get off to a fast start for the second night in a row as they opened the scoring on a Matheson Iacopelli goal off a rebound from Erik Gustafsson. Iacopelli’s sixth goal of the year and it was quickly 1-0. The IceHogs would hold the lead and have the majority of the chances for the rest of the period until a double-minor was assessed to Andreas Martinsen. Rockford would kill-off 3:53 minutes of the 4-minute penalty, but Mario Lucia would net a rebound goal on the powerplay past Delia and the Wild would knot it up 1-1.

THe IceHogs had a powerplay opportunity near the end of the period that would be wiped away after Highmore was called for a face-off violation with 23 seconds remaining in the period. The IceHogs would again kill-off the majority of the penalty to close the first period and open the second, but with just three seconds left on the Iowa man-advantage, Luke Kunin would break the tie with his seventh goal of the season.

It would only open the flood-gates for the Wild as seven minutes later, on a three-on-one break, Lucia would score his second goal of the game to put the Wild ahead 3-1 on 16 shots on goal for Iowa. Just over two minutes later it would be a 4-1 Wild lead as Landon Ferraro would put a rebound past Delia at the halfway point in the game.

In the third period, the iceHogs came out with more of a jump but couldn’t find a breakthrough in the first seven minutes of the period. It wouldn’t be until just passed the midway point of the period that the IceHogs would explode for two goals in less than 30 seconds. Tanner Kero cut the Wild lead in half with his first goal of the year with Rockford. Quickly followed by that, Sikura would score his fifth goal of the year and cut Iowa’s lead to 4-3 with just under nine minutes to play.

With just over two minutes to play and on their sixth powerplay of the night, the IceHogs pulled Delia from net to get a six-on-four advantage to try to tie the game. The powerplay would expire without a goal and with a minute to play, Kyle Rau blocked a Ville Pokka slapshot, the puck bounced into the Rockford zone and Rau out-raced Pokka to the puck and knocked it into the empty net to seal the win for the Wild.

HIGHLIGHTS

Rockford out-chanced the Wild 48-30 in shots on net but couldn’t find enough of a push until it was too late in the third period to get the win. Delia made 25 saves on 29 shots faced as his AHL record moved to 1-2-0 with a 3.76 GAA and a .825 save percentage.

Post-Game Audio:

Jeremy Colliton

Matthew Highmore

Anthony Louis

Saturday: Chicago Wolves def. Rockford IceHogs, 6-2

In the final game of the 2017 calendar year, Rockford headed East to take on the Chicago Wolves on the final night of the three game stretch. Over the previous five meetings in the Illinois Lottery Cup Rivalry, the IceHogs are 3-2-0 over the Wolves and hoped to keep the advantage as the calendar turned over to 2018.

In the first period, the IceHogs would have to play from behind as former Rockford standout turned Rockford killer Brandon Pirri opened the scoring on a powerplay with his 12th goal of the year just seven and a half minutes in. Pirri’s sixth point in six games against Rockford this season gave the Wolves the 1-0 lead after the first period.

Just over three minutes into the second period, the Wolves extended their lead with a shorthanded tally from T.J. Tynan to make it 2-0. But, just a minute later, the IceHogs were able to break through and cut the Chicago lead in half with an unassisted goal from Tyler Sikura. His sixth of the year and third goal is as many games made it a 2-1 game.

At the midway point of the second period, the Wolves added another special teams tally with a powerplay goal from Tomas Hyka to increase the Wolves lead to 3-1. It would stay that way until the last two minutes of the period, when Luke Johnson would score a powerplay goal of his own to cut the Chicago lead to 3-2 heading into the third period.

In the final frame of the 2017 calendar year, the IceHogs were out-matched and let up three goals to close the game for a 6-2 loss. Matt Tomkins made his AHL debut in the weekend finale against the Wolves. Tomkins made 25 saves on 31 shots faced.

Jeremy Colliton Post Game

With the loss, the IceHogs finished the three games in three night stretch 1-2-0 and enters the 2018 portion of this season in second place in the AHL Central Division with an 18-13-2 record with 38 points and a .576 points percentage. Rockford trails the Manitoba Moose for the Central lead as they hold a 23-6-3 reocrd with 49 points and a .766 points percentage and are tied with the Wild, who hold a 15-10-8 record.

What’s Next?

The IceHogs are off until Tuesday, Jan. 2 when they host the Cleveland Monsters. After that, Rockford will have another three games in three nights stretch as they travel to take on the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday, Jan. 5 before coming back to Rockford to host the Monsters on Saturday and the Milwaukee Admirals on Sunday.

The post Recap: IceHogs Drop Two Of Three To End 2017 Calendar appeared first on The Rink.

On top of the action-packed weekend, Rockford will be without goaltender Jeff Glass and forward David Kampf after they were recalled to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. Additionally, the IceHogs recalled goaltender Matt Tomkins from the Indy Fuel to split time with Collin Delia in net.

Entering Thursday’s action, the IceHogs sit in second place in the AHL Central Division with a 17-11-2 record (36 pts, .600 pt%) and trail the Manitoba Moose for the division lead. In the AHL Western Conference, Rockford ranks fourth behind the Manitoba Moose, Stockton Heat, and Texas Stars.

Thursday and Friday: IceHogs vs Wild

Thursday night, the IceHogs begin the three game stretch in Iowa taking on the Wild. It marks the seventh game between the teams this season with Rockford holding a 3-2-1 record over the Wild. Iowa sits just behind the IceHogs in third place in the Central Division with a 14-9-8 record (36 pts, .598 pt%).

The weekend’s action will have a new face joining Iowa as Zach Parise begins a conditioning stint with the Wild. Parise is recovering from a back injury that has forced him out of action all season. It will be Parise’s first AHL action since the NHL’s lockout season in 2004-05 where he played 73 games with the Albany River Rats, scoring 58 points (18G, 40A).

#mnwild expected to assign Zach Parise to @iawild for a conditioning stint, a huge step in his return from injury → https://t.co/Q2Csh7fvm0 pic.twitter.com/keni6yzPLo

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) December 27, 2017

Special teams will be a big focus during the home-and-home with the Wild as they enter the weekend with the AHL’s fifth-ranked powerplay unit (20.4 percent) and the league’s top penalty-kill (88.6 percent) compared to the IceHogs’ 22nd ranked penalty-kill (80.6 percent) and league-worst powerplay unit (11.1 percent). Rockford has scored just four powerplay goals since Oct. 28 and have gone without a powerplay goal in their last 22 opportunities.

Puck drop for both games on Thursday and Friday night are scheduled for 7pm CT.

Saturday: IceHogs vs Wolves

After the back-to-back with the Iowa Wild, the IceHogs turn their attention to the Chicago Wolves and another installment of the Illinois Lottery Cup rivalry to close out the 2017 calendar year. In five meetings this season, Rockford holds a 2-2-1 record against the Wolves. Chicago sits in fifth place in the Central Division with a 13-12-6 record (32 pts, .516 pt%).

The previous five meetings between the teams have been consistently physical and have been played tightly with each team scoring 14 goals against the other with the IceHogs having a 15th goal credited in a shootout win. The sixth installment of this year’s rivalry should be no different.

With the losses of Glass and Kampf, the IceHogs will need players like Tomas Jurco and Matthew Highmore to lead to offensive charge and Delia and Tomkins to pickup where Glass left off in net. It will be a challenge for the goaltenders as Delia has just one game of AHL experience under his belt and Tomkins will be making his first trip up to the AHL after spending four years in net for Ohio State.

Puck drop for Saturday night’s game in Chicago is scheduled for 7pm CT.

IceHogs Close The Book On 2017

2017 has been an odd year for the Rockford IceHogs as they are a completely different team in look and feel than when the calendar year started. Ted Dent, Spencer Abbott, Mark McNeill, Kyle Baun, and Brandon Mashinter, to name a few, began 2017 with Rockford. As 2017 comes to a close, none of those players are around and Jeremy Colliton was brought in to replace Dent as Head Coach. In fact, only 13 players who played with the IceHogs last season out of 39 that suited up, are with the club to begin the 2017-18 season or were with the team at some point to begin the new season.

The end of the 2016-17 season saw the IceHogs finish last in the AHL Central Division and 27th out of 30 teams in the league overall. There was a large roster turnover, a change in coaching, and a change in philosophy. It has all worked so far in the 2017 portion of the 2017-18 season. Rockford has skated 10 rookies this season, with five of them scoring double-digits in points at this point in the season, led by an undrafted free agent signing in Matthew Highmore. The IceHogs are younger, faster, more highly skilled and for the first time in a while, have a bright future building up for the Blackhawks organization as a whole.

The post Preview: IceHogs Close 2017 With Three Games In Three Nights appeared first on The Rink.

Friday: Rockford IceHogs def. Chicago Wolves, 3-2 (ot)

It took just 41 seconds for the score sheet to get populated as the IceHogs took the early lead on a backhand goal from Alexandre Fortin. His second goal of the season, Fortin broke down the middle of the ice and out-muscled two Chicago defenders to control the puck and put it past Max Lagace.

The IceHogs and Wolves seemed to trade-off scoring chances through the rest of the period until Rockford was called for a delayed penalty. With the goalie pulled, the Wolves were able to tie the game at 1-1 before the penalty was called. Brandon Pirri was able to bang a rebound behind Jeff Glass and the teams headed to the locker rooms knotted at 1-1.

The IceHogs opened the second period with a handful of high-quality chances but couldn’t find the back of the net. It wasn’t until the midway point of the period that the Wolves broke the tie on a Tobias Lindberg breakaway goal, setup by Chris Casto blocking a Viktor Svedberg slapshot. Any momentum the IceHogs had built early in the game slowly faded as the second period went on and the teams would head into the third period, 2-1 Chicago.

Needing a response in the third period, the IceHogs went back to their playbook with what worked earlier in the game: score fast. Just 39 seconds into the period, Tomas Jurco put a shot on net that Lagace saved with a big rebound that David Kampf put home. His sixth goal of the year and the IceHogs tied it up 2-2 early on.

There would be no breakthrough the rest of the period, although both teams continued to generate high quality chances. Lagace made a huge save on a Matthew Highmore wraparound attempt midway through the period, but the game would need overtime.

In the extra period, the IceHogs would control most of the puck possession and with less than a minute left, Highmore found Darren Raddysh on the doorstep to give Rockford the 3-2 win in overtime. Jeff Glass made 23 saves on 25 shots faced to earn his ninth win of the season.

Of note in Friday night’s contest, the IceHogs used two unconventional powerplay units to try to spark the AHL’s worst powerplay. Unit one composed of five forwards: Anthony Louis, David Kampf, Tomas Jurco, Matthew Highmore, and Tanner Kero. The second powerplay unit used a two forwards and three defenseman look with Carl Dahlstrom, Ville Pokka, and Robin Norell controlling the puck near the blue line from point-to-point.

It was an admirable attempt to jump-start the powerplay for Rockford by head coach Jeremy Colliton, but it went unsuccessful against the Wolves in three attempts. Since their four powerplay-goal game on Oct. 28 against the Griffins, the IceHogs have scored four powerplay goals total.

Post-Game Audio: 

Jeremy Colliton:

Andreas Martinsen:

Darren Raddysh:

Saturday: Rockford IceHogs def. Grand Rapids Griffins, 3-2 (so)

Looking to continue their success against the defending Calder Cup Champion Griffins, the IceHogs got on the board first in the second period as David Kampf netted his seventh goal of the year off an Anthony Louis rebound. Kampf’s second goal of the weekend gave the IceHogs the 1-0 lead midway through the middle frame. The lead wouldn’t last long though as the Griffins got on the board with a goal from Matt Lorito to tie it up 1-1 just over a minute later.

The teams would enter the third period tied 1-1 and it would remain that way until five and a half minutes into the period as Tomas Jurco gave the IceHogs the lead back at 2-1. Jurco’s tenth goal of the year and third point of the weekend, he now leads Rockford in scoring for active roster players with 21 points (10G, 11A) in 29 games played.

Rockford held the 2-1 lead late into the third period, but on the final rush of the game with a powerplay and the net empty, Matthew Ford tipped in a controversial goal past Jeff Glass to tie the game at 2-2 with just 1.7 seconds left on the clock. It’s the second time in the last five games that the IceHogs allowed a game-winning or tying goal in the final seconds of a game.

The teams would head to overtime, tied at 2-2 and even with the extra five minutes, the teams couldn’t find the winning goal, so for the third time in six meetings this season, the Griffins and IceHogs would go to a shootout.

Glass would hold off the Griffins first three shooters while Jurco, Highmore, and Kampf were all stopped by Jared Coreau. It would take Rockford’s fourth shooter, Viktor Svedberg to break the tie. Svedberg ripped a slap shot by Coreau to give the IceHogs the advantage. Jeff Glass would then stop Vili Saarijarvi to give Rockford the 3-2 shootout win and remain a perfect 6-0-0 against the Griffins this year. Glass made 31 saves on 33 shots to earn his tenth win of the year, improving his record to 10-4-2, with a 2.60 GAA and .917 save percentage.

Highlights

Post-Game: Jeremy Colliton

With the back-to-back wins over the weekend, the IceHogs improve to 17-11-2, with 36 points in the standings and a .600 points percentage, good enough for second place in the AHL’s Central Division. The IceHogs trail the Manitoba Moose in the Division by 13 points as the Moose have yet to lose in regulation over their last 16 games (15-0-1).

What’s Next?

The IceHogs are off over the Holiday break, but return to action to close out the 2017 calendar year with three games in three days starting on Thursday, Dec. 28. On Thursday, the IceHogs travel to Iowa to take on the Wild before turning around and hosting the Wild on Friday night back in Rockford. Finally, the 2017 calendar year ends for Rockford as they travel to Chicago to take on the Wolves in a Saturday night Illinois Lottery Cup rivalry game. All three games are slated for 7pm CT puck drops.

The post Recap: IceHogs Use Extra Hockey, Get Wins Over Wolves And Griffins appeared first on The Rink.

IceHogs Hurting Without Hinostroza

While it was called for from fans for weeks prior to the recall happening, Hinostroza’s play with the IceHogs was consistently at a high level and showed that he deserved a shot to crack the Blackhawks lineup and make an impact at the NHL level. In his five games with the Blackhawks so far this season, Hinostroza has just one point, a goal against the Winnipeg Jets, with 13 shots on goal and an average of 11:36 minutes of ice-time per game.

Playing in a third-line center position, Hinostroza has provided a burst of speed down the middle of the ice that the Blackhawks needed. While his point-production is just the one goal so far, his impact at 5-on-5 in a bottom-six role has been pretty much as advertised at the NHL level so far and has made a small-sample case to stick around in Chicago for the foreseeable future.

Highmore Has Opportunity To Be IceHogs Go-To Player

If the case does end up that Hinostroza will stay with the Blackhawks for a while, there becomes an offensive hole to fill for the IceHogs. Players like Tomas Jurco and Carl Dahlstrom have stepped up this season, but it’s the emergence of Highmore that has been a big find for the IceHogs and Blackhawks organization.

Highmore was an undrafted signing by the Blackhawks in the offseason after playing with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL for four seasons. In 289 games with the Sea Dogs, Highmore tallied 247 points (90G, 157A) as well as 45 points (15G, 30A) in 44 playoff games. During his final season with Saint John, Highmore tallied 89 points in the regular season and another 24 in the playoffs as the Sea Dogs won the QMJHL Championship.

The pedigree for success is there for Highmore. Head Coach Jeremy Colliton has put him in the lineup in high-profile spots, playing Highmore on the top forward line consistently, playing on the penalty-killing units and the powerplay to help spark the IceHogs young team. Highmore has taken advantage of his opportunities thus far, leading the team in goals (11) and second in points (18).

Without the offensive production of Hinostroza, the IceHogs need Highmore to break out of his current slump. Since recording his first career professional hat-trick on Nov. 22, Highmore has three points over the last 10 games. Prior to this current stretch, he totaled 15 points in 18 games to begin the year. For the IceHogs to keep pace in the Central Division, they will need Highmore to lead the rookie class in Rockford.

The post IceHogs: Without Hinostroza, Matthew Highmore Has Chance To Shine appeared first on The Rink.

The IceHogs headed into the weekend’s action without their top-scorer Vince Hinostroza after he was recalled to the Chicago Blackhawks and Tanner Kero was assigned to Rockford in his place. Hinostroza had been pacing the IceHogs offense all season, notching 22 points (9G, 13A) in 23 games played. Kero did not play in Friday night’s game but was in the lineup on Saturday for the IceHogs. In his AHL career, Kero has 64 points (32G, 32A) in 94 games played, all with Rockford, prior to Saturday’s game.

Friday: Rockford IceHogs def. Grand Rapids Griffins, 4-1

On Friday, the IceHogs came out pacing the Griffins early on, but it was a Matt Puempel powerplay goal mid-way through the first period that opened the scoring between the two sides. But, the Griffins’ lead would last less than three minutes as Rockford pulled even late in the period with a goal from Tomas Jurco. Jurco’s eighth goal of the season and the teams headed to the locker room tied at 1-1.

In the second period, the Griffins had the better scoring chances but the IceHogs and starter Jeff Glass were up to the task. With under three minutes to go in the period, Andreas Martinsen put the IceHogs ahead 2-1 with his third goal of the season and they would hold the lead for good form then on.

The third period saw the IceHogs dictate more of the action and get rewarded for it at the end of the period as Robin Norell made it a 3-1 game with under two minutes to play with his first goal of the season and Luke Johnson put his sixth goal of the season home on an empty net and Rockford came away winners, 4-1 over the Griffins. Glass made 33 saves on 34 shots faced and earned his eighth win of the season, third win in a row and improved to 8-2-1 on the season.

Saturday: Rockford IceHogs def. Grand Rapids Griffins, 7-2

Turn right around and do it all again on Saturday night in Rockford, this time the result was far more in favor of the IceHogs.

It was J.F. Berube to start the game after being reassigned to the club from the Chicago Blackhawks the day before. He would make 18 saves on all 18 shots he faced before exiting the game mid-way through the second period with an apparent left-leg injury after collision with Carl Dahlstrom. Berube left the game and did not return, Jeff Glass stepped in and made 18 saves on 20 shots faced in the remaining period and a half.

It was Martinsen in the first period to get the IceHogs on the board first with his fourth goal of the season and second of the weekend, to give Rockford the 1-0 lead after one period of play. The second period would see more offensive power from the IceHogs as Tomas Jurco and Darren Raddysh combined to put Rockford ahead 3-0 with their ninth and third goals of the season, respectively.

The IceHogs would jump out to a 6-0 lead after scoring three goals in just over the first three minutes of the third period. Goals coming from Matthew Highmore, his team-leading 11th of the season, Carl Dahlstrom on the powerplay, and Matheson Iacopelli to put Rockford ahead by a touchdown. The Griffins would add two goals in the period before David Kampf made it a 7-2 game with just under two minutes left in the game. Although leaving the game with an injury, Berube was credited with the win, his seventh of the season.

Who Are The IceHogs After 25 Games?

With the IceHogs taking four points out of four against the Griffins, they improve to 15-9-1 on the year, good for 31 points in the standings and a .620 points percentage. The IceHogs have won four games in a row to start the month of December, backed by the offensive production of Carl Dahlstrom, who has eight points (1G, 7A) during the four-game win streak, and sit in second place in the AHL Central Division behind the Manitoba Moose (18-5-3, 39pts, .750 pt%) who have not lost in regulation since Nov. 12.

While the special teams for Rockford leave a lot to be desired (28th ranked powerplay/ 27th ranked penalty-kill), their offensive production at even strength and two-goalie system has allowed them to be successful so far this season.

Outside of the play of Hinostroza, the IceHogs have relied heavily on a core of rookies to drive the ship. Rookies like Matthew Highmore and David Kampf have generated a lot of chances and offensive upside for Rockford. Along with the rookie production from the forwards group, the defensive rookie duo of Darren Raddysh and Luc Snuggerud have been bright spots on the blue-line and give the Blackhawks organization depth at the position that already has players like Ville Pokka and Erik Gustafsson ready for call-ups.

With a core group of regular players being first full-year AHL rookies (10 rookies have played 18+ games this season), the IceHogs have benefited from having “veteran” players around the young guys all season. Top contributors like Tomas Jurco, Luke Johnson, and Laurent Dauphin, although all still under 25-years old, have been able to lead this group to a much more promising season and future than has been seen in Rockford in the last few years.

The big question moving forward now becomes what will the IceHogs do in net without J.F. Berube for the foreseeable future? Jeff Glass has been solid all season for Rockford, but the success has come hand-in-hand with Berube. In his place, Collin Delia becomes the next man up in net after Berube’s injury. Delia has seen just one game with the IceHogs this season, a road loss to the Iowa Wild on Nov. 9 where Delia made 12 saves on 16 shots faced. He has 10 games played with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL, with a 1-7-2 record. Glass will be the workhorse in Berube’s absence for Rockford and he will need to continue his hot start to the 2017-18 season if the IceHogs are going to stay at the top-end of the Division and Conference.

What’s Next?

The IceHogs prepare for a Tuesday night home game against the rival Chicago Wolves before heading to San Antonio for a short weekend series with the San Antonio Rampage. Rockford is 2-1-0 against the Wolves in the Illinois Lottery Cup rivalry this season with both a shootout and overtime win over Chicago. The weekend action marks games number two and three against the Rampage this season. The IceHogs lost the first matchup against San Antonio on Nov. 10, a 6-0 loss.

Puck drop on Tuesday night is scheduled for 7pm CT at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford. Friday night in San Antonio is scheduled for a 7:30pm CT puck drop and Sunday will be a 3pm CT afternoon puck drop against the Rampage.

The post Recap: IceHogs Sweep Weekend Series Over Griffins appeared first on The Rink.

Highmore carries IceHogs over Wild

Coming into the game, Highmore had tallied 12 points in 17 games for Rockford and was second on the team in scoring behind Vince Hinostroza. Following the hat-trick, Highmore still sits second in the team in scoring with 15 points, but now leads the team in goals with 9 on the year.

Highmore got Rockford on the board early in the first period with his 7th goal of the year, tipping in a shot from Luc Snuggerud. The IceHogs would take that 1-0 lead into the second period, out-shooting the Wild 14-6 in the period.

In the second period, Highmore would play the role of garbage man as he was able to pot home the rebound of an Anthony Louis tip shot. Highmore’s 8th of the season put the IceHogs up 2-0 mid-way through the period and it would stay that way going into the final frame.

Late into the third period, Highmore would complete the natural hat-trick with less than five minutes to play in the game. It’s the first professional hat-trick of Highmore’s career after being a free agent signing for the Blackhawks this summer out of Saint John’s of the QMJHL. While the Wild were able to get one back late in the period, the IceHogs were able to get the win, 3-1 the final, out-shooting Iowa 40-22 on the night.

Congrats @MHighmore15! First pro hat trick!

(11/22/17 vs. Iowa) pic.twitter.com/JQZuvGKBpF

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) November 23, 2017

J.F. Berube notches his sixth win of the season, snapping a five-game skid with a 23-save performance, and helping Rockford improve to 11-7-0 on the season. With 22 points in the standings and a .611 points percentage, the IceHogs sit alone in second in the AHL Central Division, trailing the Manitoba Moose (12-5-2, 26 pts) with a .684 points percentage.

On the special teams side, the IceHogs were able to kill all seven Wild powerplays faced, improving their penalty-kill to 25th in the AHL at a 79.5% kill-rate. While the penalty-kill was solid, Rockford’s powerplay continues its current drought, going empty on five opportunities on the man-advantage against Iowa. With the five missed chances, the IceHogs have not scored a powerplay goal in their last 27 opportunities and are a staggering 1-40 since their four powerplay-goal night against the Grand Rapids Griffins on Oct. 28.

Postgame Media

Head Coach Jeremy Colliton:

Matthew Highmore:

J.F. Berube:

What’s Next?

The IceHogs will have American Thanksgiving day off before hosting the Iowa Wild in a rematch of Wednesday night’s game, on Friday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm CT for Friday’s game at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford.

Rockford closes the weekend on the road against the Chicago Wolves on Saturday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm CT at the Allstate Arena in Chicago for the second Illinois Lottery Cup match-up of the season. The IceHogs won the first game against the Wolves in a shoot-out on Sunday, Nov. 19.

The post Recap: Matthew Highmore Leads IceHogs over Wild appeared first on The Rink.