Team announces partnership at a press conference
Rockford, Ill.- The American Hockey Leagueās Rockford IceHogs, proud affiliate of the National Hockey Leagueās Chicago Blackhawks and members of the American Hockey League, in conjunction with Hillman Elementary School and Rockford Public School District announced that the IceHogs are adopting Hillman Elementary School for the 2010-11 season.
The announcement was made at a press conference at Hillman Elementary School on Thursday afternoon.
The unique partnership between the IceHogs and Hillman Elementary is designed to enhance the studentās educational experience with interaction from IceHogs players, coaches, mascots and staff members. As a part of the IceHogs community initiative, the organization will participate in school appearances at Hillman Elementary including reading nights, fun fairs and classroom visits.
āWe are thrilled to be a part of this new and exciting partnership with Hillman Elementary School,ā said RAVE Executive Director Gordon Kaye. āWe view this as just the start of a long-term relationship with the Rockford School District. On a personal level, as the parent of two wonderful school-age children, I know how important positive role models are in the social and educational development of school-age children.ā
Students at Hillman Elementary School will also have opportunities to participate in field trips to the Rockford MetroCentre to learn the physics of hockey, how the ice is installed and watch and meet the 2010-11 IceHogs team.
"I am very excited to partner with the IceHogs at Hillman,ā said Carolyn Kloss, principal at Hillman Elementary. āThe IceHogs' interest in working with children and supporting our school is exciting. Hopefully each grade level will get to take a field trip appropriate to their curriculum to visit the MetroCentre and learn more about the IceHogs! At the same time, the IceHogs will visit us at school and support children and academics."
Last season alone the IceHogs made 164 community appearances in and around the Rockford community and helped raise nearly $110,000 through several different charitable events.
For more information about the IceHogs in the community or about the IceHogs adopting Hillman Elementary, please contact the team at (815) 986-6465. To see where the IceHogs will be, visit www.icehogs.com/schedule/community.
Next Home Game: Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010 vs. Manitoba Moose. The puck is set to drop at 4:35 p.m. The IceHogs begin the 2010-11 season against the Manitoba Moose and the first 5,000 fans will receive a 2010-11 IceHogs Magnet Schedule courtesy of U.S. Cellular, Dental Dimensions, Guerilla Graffix and the Illinois Pork Producers. Before the game on Saturday there is a fan festival from 1-4 p.m. where fans can enjoy music, food and entertainment.