Game Preview: IceHogs Return to the BMO Center to Host Iowa
Rockford, IL - The Rockford IceHogs (16-25-2-2 ) will take on the Iowa Wild (12-26-4-1) at the BMO Center for the first time this season. The IceHogs have won the first three meetings against the Wild to begin the season series. The team will honor former IceHogs goaltender Michael Leighton, inducting him into the IceHogs Ring of Honor tonight.
The Matchup:
All-Time Series: 66-45-11-5
Season Series: 3-0-0-0
Tale of the Tape: The IceHogs welcome in the Wild to the BMO Center for the first time this season. The Hogs have taken the first three meetings with the Wild, all three wins taking place in Des Moines. The Wild enter tonight's matchup after completing the sweep of the Milwaukee Admirals with a 2-1 shootout win last Saturday. Rockford is currently on a five game slide after dropping both contests in Manitoba last weekend.
Team Leaders:
Iowa:
Points- Gerry Mayhew- 23 points
Goals- Gerry Mayhew- 14G
Assists- David Spacek- 16A
Rockford:
Points- Brett Seney- 34 points
Goals- Rem Pitlick- 14G
Assists- Brett Seney- 24A
Three Things to Know:
New Look BMO: The IceHogs return to the BMO Center for the first of seven home games in the month of February. Fans will notice a new look at center ice tomorrow as the BMO Center staff have completed alterations for the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic. The IceHogs will be represented by defenseman Kevin Korchinski and forward Nick Lardis.
Rinzel Returns: The Chicago Blackhawks announced this week that they have assigned defenseman Sam Rinzel to Rockford. Rinzel, 21, has skated in 19 games with the IceHogs this season recording two goals and eight assists. The 2022 first round selection has two goals and seven assists in 31 games with the Blackhawks this season. Rinzel tallied two assists in his AHL debut against the Iowa Wild on Dec. 10.
Leighton Joins Ring of Honor: The IceHogs will add Michael Leighton into their Ring of Honor tonight during the first intermission. Leighton played 88 games for the IceHogs from 2014-16, recording 50 wins. A native of Petrolia, ON, Leighton recorded 50 shutouts in over 500 AHL games, his ten shutouts with the IceHogs is a franchise record. The 20-year pro joins J.F. (Jean-François) Rivard, Corey Crawford, Steve Martinson, and Bryan Bickle in the IceHogs Ring of Honor.
2025-26 Season Matchups:
| Oct. 12 | @ | IA | W 6-2 |
| Nov. 9 | @ | IA | W 3-2 |
| Dec. 10 | @ | IA | W 4-3 |
| Feb. 6 | vs | IA | 7 p.m. |
| Mar. 14 | vs | IA | 7 p.m. |
| Mar. 28 | vs | IA | 7 p.m. |
| Mar. 29 | @ | IA | 6 p.m. |
| Apr. 3 | @ | IA | 7 p.m. |
| Apr. 4 | vs | IA | 7 p.m. |
| Apr. 10 | vs | IA | 7 p.m. |