Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs open the 2025-26 season with a battle against the Milwaukee Admirals at the BMO Center for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop. The IceHogs took down the Admirals last Friday night with a 3-1 victory in the preseason finale. Rockford's lineup will feature a mix of familiar faces along with highly-anticipated Blackhawks prospects looking to make their mark in Rockford. 

Three Things To Know: 

Head Coach Debut: Former player and assistant coach Jared Nightingale made his debut as the IceHogs Head Coach yesterday against the Wolves. Nightingale, 42, returns to Rockford after posting a 52-15-5 record as head coach with the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays, winning the John Brophy Award as the ECHL Coach of the Year.  Nightingale returns to the IceHogs after serving as an assistant coach from 2021-24. During his playing career, Nightingale played in over 400 games over 12 seasons in the AHL and over 200 ECHL games during eight seasons.

Prospect Pool Deepens: The newest wave of Blackhawks' prospects have arrived in Rockford with Nick Lardis, Martin Misiak, and Oliver Moore announced to the opening night roster. This trio brings the total number of rookies on Rockford's roster to six including Aidan Thompson, Taige Harding and goalie Stanislav Berezhnoy. Moore is slated to make his AHL debut after skating in nine games with the Blackhawks last spring, accumulating four assists. Lardis returns to the IceHogs after posting a 71-goal effort last season with the Brantford Bulldogs in the OHL. The 2023, 3rd round draft pick appeared in one game with the IceHogs in the 2023-24 season. Misiak also appeared in one game with Rockford in the 2023-24 season and returns to the Stateline after posting 59 points      (23G, 36A) with the Erie Otters last season. The young stable of Chicago prospects will look to make their presence felt early in the 2025-26 season and will have plenty of help with the strong cast of returning veterans. 

Familiar Faces: The IceHogs will once again be lead by their captain Brett Seney, who returns for his fourth season in Rockford. Seney signed a two-year contract with the IceHogs over the summer after posting 39 points (10G, 29A) in 58 games last season. Rockford's blueline will once again be an intimidating force with Cavan Fitzgerald, Ethan Del Mastro, and Kevin Korchinski all returning to start the season. Andrew Perrott is set to return in an IceHogs uniform after spending last year in the Washington Capitals organization. Perrott played in Rockford from 2022-24, appearing in 33 games over two seasons. Last but certainly not least, the IceHogs will have the Drew Commesso back between the pipes for his third season in Rockford. Commesso helped lead Rockford to the Calder Cup Playoffs last spring ending the season on an incredible run that included a .930 save percentage in his final 22 games. 

Heard It Here First:

Nick Lardis on Opening Night:

You have to feel it out a little bit with new systems and different teams. I'm excited, it's going to be a lot of fun. I want to showcase my speed, skill and the defensive side of the puck,

Samuel Savoie on Entering His Second Season:

The biggest part of my game this year is mastering what I am good at and trying to keep being a pest and competitive and using my speed. I'd like to pot more goals, more points and being more offensive minded but still bring that edge,

The Matchup:

Tale of The Tape: The IceHogs will look for revenge against the team that eliminated them in the Calder Cup Playoffs last spring. The Admirals erased an 0-2 deficit to advance to the Central Division Final where they bowed out to the Texas Stars. The IceHogs posted a 3-2 record at the BMO Center against the Admirals last year in the regular season and are 11-9-1-1 over the previous five seasons on home ice. Drew Commesso posted a .906 save percentage in three starts against Milwaukee last season. The Admirals come to Rockford missing two key performers from last season with the departures of Cal O'Reilly Vinnie Hinostroza. Both O'Reilly and Hinostroza led Milwaukee with seven points against Rockford last season. 

2025-26 Matchups:

The IceHogs open the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 11 against the Milwaukee Admirals with a 7:00 p.m. puck drop. Fans can start the festivities downtown early with the IceHogs' annual Opening Night Block Party. Tickets are still available at icehogs.com.