ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Rockford IceHogs today announced they have signed forward Kyle Maksimovich to an amateur tryout contract (ATO).
Maksimovich, 20, concluded his fourth consecutive season with the OHL’s Erie Otters in 2017-18, serving as the team's captain and skating in 65 games. He produced 60+ points for a third consecutive campaign and led all Erie skaters with 66 total points (31g, 35a) on the year. The forward set a career-high mark and paced the Otters with his 31 goals, and also finished second on the team with 37 assists and 194 shots on goal.
The native of Hamilton, Ontario recorded 18 multi-point efforts during his standout season, including four multi-goal games and a season-high four-point performance (2g, 2a) on Nov. 3 vs. Oshawa. In addition, Maksimovich tallied a career-high 10-game point streak from Nov. 25 – Dec. 16, capping that stretch with eight goals, six assists and 14 total points.
The 5-9, 180-lbs forward skated alongside current Rockford IceHogs defenseman Darren Raddysh and Chicago Blackhawks forward Alex DeBrincat during the 2016-17 campaign and helped lead Erie to both a regular-season title and OHL Championship. Maksimovich recorded 64 points (16g, 48a) in 64 contests while guiding the Otters to the league’s best record of 50-15-2-1 during the regular season, before chipping in five goals and 11 assists in 22 playoff tilts as Erie went 16-6-0-0 in the postseason.
Overall, Maksimovich has combined for 225 points (80g, 145a) in 253 regular season games with Erie from 2014-18. The winger has also notched 32 points (13g, 19a) in 55 postseason contests during the Otters’ stretch of three straight playoff appearances from 2014-17. He currently holds Erie's second-longest ironman streak in franchise history with 131 consecutive games played from March 14, 2015 to Feb. 25, 2017.
Next Home Game: Friday, March 23 | Rockford vs. Milwaukee
The IceHogs host the Milwaukee Admirals at 7 p.m. at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Friday’s contest is Country Night with a live musical performance from local country band, “StateLine,” who will perform both pre and postgame on Friday. The first 2,500 fans in attendance can also complete their “Our Town, Our Team” bobblehead series with a free bobblehead of current Green Bay Packers defensive end and Rockford native, Dean Lowry.