DOWELL NAMED CAPTAIN AS ICEHOGS RELEASE OPENING NIGHT ROSTER

Rockford, Ill. – Chicago Blackhawks General Manager of Minor League Affiliations Mark Bernard announced today the Rockford IceHogs opening night roster and team captains for the 2016-17 season. Forward Jake Dowell will once again serve as captain, and P.C. Labrie was named an alternate.

The IceHogs open their season with 24 players on the roster including 15 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goalies.

Forwards include Spencer Abbott, Tyler Barnes, Kyle Baun, Sam Carrick, Bryn Chyzyk, Chris DeSousa, Jake Dowell, Luke Johnson, Tanner Kero, P.C. Labrie, Jeremy Langlois, Martin Lundberg, Brandon Mashinter, Mark McNeill, and Evan Mosey.

Rockford’s defensemen include Carl Dahlstrom, Erik Gustafsson, Robin Norell, Ville Pokka, Cameron Schilling, Viktor Svedberg, and Nolan Valleau.

In the net for the IceHogs are goalies Mac Carruth and Lars Johansson.

In addition, defenseman Dillon Fournier has been reassigned to Rockford’s ECHL affiliate, the Indy Fuel, by the Chicago Blackhawks. Fournier has played a total of 23 games in two seasons with the IceHogs, notching three points (3A).

Dowell’s return as captain

This season marks the third year that Dowell will wear the “C” on his jersey. He served as captain during the 2009-10 season and returned as captain for the club after Brandon Mashinter was recalled to Chicago in October last season.

The 31-year-old Eau Claire, Wis. native first spent time in Rockford between the 2007-08 and 2009-10 seasons. Dowell returned to the IceHogs last season and played in 72 games, notching 35 points (11G-24A) and represented the IceHogs in the 2016 All-Star challenge. He has played in a total of 274 career games in Rockford, ranking him third all-time, with 31 goals and 64 assists. Dowell also holds the club’s postseason games-played record, making an appearance in 23 Calder Cup playoff contests.

Beginning his third season in Rockford, P.C. Labrie has been named alternate captain. Labrie, 30, a Baie-Comeau, Quebec native, has appeared in 126 career games for the IceHogs totaling 50 points with 29 goals and 21 assists. A fan favorite, Labrie’s time in Rockford will be celebrated later this season with a P.C. Labrie bobblehead giveaway in February.

Home Opener: Saturday, Oct. 22 vs. Milwaukee at 7 p.m. The IceHogs open their 18th season of professional hockey at the BMO Harris Bank Center with the first home game of the 2016-17 season. The first 5,000 fans to enter the arena will receive an IceHogs calendar compliments of BMO Harris Bank. For tickets visit IceHogs.com or call (815) 968-5222.