Alec Regula Set to Become the 130th IceHogs Alum to Reach NHL Tonight

ROCKFORD, IL – Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alec Regula will become the 130th Rockford IceHogs alumni to reach the National Hockey League and the 99th IceHogs player to go from the IceHogs to the Blackhawks when the NHL club battles the Carolina Hurricanes tonight in Raleigh.

Regula, 20, racked up four points (three goals, one assist) in 16 games with the IceHogs during his rookie season this year. The West Bloomfield, MI, native made his professional debut with the IceHogs on Opening Day on Feb. 6 vs. Chicago and picked up his first pro point (assist) the following contest (Feb. 9) against the Wolves. On Feb. 18, Regula became one of the 11 IceHogs skaters so far this season to score their first professional/North American goal, a power-play tally against the Grand Rapids Griffins.

"From the first day, you could see we had a special player," IceHogs Head Coach Derek King mentioned after today's team practice. "Rags just needed grooming. Anders (Sorensen; Assistant Coach) and Soupy (Blackhawks Dev. Coach Brian Campbell) have done a great job getting him to defend first then use his offensive abilities after. His puck plays have improved as has his skating. I like his progress and there's always room for improvement."

Last season, Regula co-captained the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League and recorded career-highs in points (55), goals (27), and assists (33) and ranked first among league blueliners in goals and sixth in points. In 2018-19, he was teammates with former IceHogs and current Blackhawks defenseman Adam Boqvist.

"He's got some size to him which obviously has the leverage, but for me, I think he's got good hands for a big guy and he can move his body in good positions to get ready for it,” mentioned Blackhawks Development Coach Brian Campbell in a Blackhawks prospect preview. “That's what he can excel at."

With his appearance tonight, Regula joins forwards MacKenzie Entwistle, Phillip Kurashev and Reese Johnson, defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk and goaltender Kevin Lankinen in IceHogs alums to make their NHL debut this season.

The Rockford IceHogs open a two-game series against the Iowa Wild on Friday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA and close their 10-game season series against the Wild on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9 at 4:00 p.m. at BMO Harris Bank Center. Fans can watch all of this season’s action LIVE on AHLTV and 23.2 Antenna TV WIFR (home games)! Tune in to every broadcast for free on SportsFanRadio 1330 AM, Sportsfanradio1330.com, IceHogs.com, and the IceHogs app!

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