Rockford IceHogs Celebrate Opening Day with In-State Showdown vs. Wolves

Rockford, Ill. – The Rockford IceHogs, proud American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL), host the Chicago Wolves today at 3:00 p.m. at BMO Harris Bank Center to open the 2020-21 season. Today is the first of 11 scheduled meetings between the two clubs.

Tune in on the IceHogs Broadcast Network Presented by BMO Harris Bank
Watch for FREE this weekend on AHL TV and catch the action on 23.2 Antenna TV WIFR.
Catch the Hogs’ radio broadcast SportsFanRadio 1330 AM, Sportsfanradio1330.com, IceHogs.com, and the IceHogs app!

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Enjoy the Hogs@Home on the IceHogs mobile app! Play the Meijer First Goal Frenzy for a chance to win a $25 gift card and check-in for a chance to grab dinner for two from Texas Roadhouse! The IceHogs Gameday Jersey Raffle is back too! Download the App and Play!

Hogs Hockey Is Back
The Rockford IceHogs celebrate their 22nd season of hockey in the Stateline and their 14th in the American Hockey League during the 2020-21 campaign.

King Ready for Season Two
IceHogs Head Coach Derek King enters his second season behind the bench alongside assistant coach Anders Sorensen. Last season, King led the IceHogs into the Central Division playoff push and finished with a record of 29-30-2-2. In 127 as active coach of the IceHogs (including interim in 2018-19) King holds an all-time record of 58-58-5-6.

Mitchell Leads the Charge
Yesterday, the IceHogs announced that veteran forward Garrett Mitchell was named the 13th team captain in AHL team history. Defenseman Cody Franson and forward John Quenneville will serve as alternate captains for the 2020-21 season.

Young Hogs Look to Gain Experience
The 2020-21 Opening Night Roster for the IceHogs features 29 players including 17 rookies. Evan Barratt, Isaak Phillips, Cam Morrison, Wyatt Kalynuk, Mitchell Fossier, Michal Teply Chris WIlkie, Chad Yetman, Cole Moberg, Michael Krutil, Riley McKay, Alec Regula, D.J. Busdeker, Andrei Altybarmakyan, Cale Morris and Tom Aubrun all look to make their AHL debuts.

Next Wave of Blackhawks
The IceHogs roster features 10 players that were drafted by the Blackhawks from 2016-20 including forward Chad Yetman (sixth round, 172 overall) and defensemen Michael Krutil (fourth round, 110 overall) and Isaak Phillips (fifth round, 141 overall) who were selected in this past summer's NHL Entry Draft.

Hello Old Friend
The IceHogs 14th AHL season also marks the 14th year of their in-state rivalry with the Chicago Wolves. Last season, the IceHogs raced out to a 5-0-0-0 record vs. CHI, their best start ever and longest winning streak against the Wolves, before finishing with a 6-2-1-0 head-to-head record.

Like Father, Like Son
The Wolves' roster features defenseman D.J. King, son of IceHogs Head Coach Derek King. The 20-year-old blueliner begins his rookie season after skating with Saginaw (OHL) last season with current IceHogs forward D.J. Busdeker.

Leaders of the Pack
Forward Jeremy Morin (2010-16) leads the IceHogs all-time against the Wolves with 33 points (15g, 18a) in 37 career games. Forward Brett Sterling leads the Wolves' side with 43 points (18g, 25a) in 50 career games vs. IceHogs.

The Rockford IceHogs visit the Wolves on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 2:00 p.m. at Triphahn Center Ice Arena in Hoffman Estates, IL. Fans can watch all of this season’s action LIVE on AHLTV and 23.2 Antenna TV WIFR (home games)! Tune in to every broadcast for free on SportsFanRadio 1330 AM, Sportsfanradio1330.com, IceHogs.com, and the IceHogs app!

Every active full IceHogs Season Ticket Holder and 20-Game holder who have paid for their tickets in full or who have a deposit down on their tickets for 2020-21 will receive FREE access to every IceHogs game through AHLTV on the IceHogs Broadcast Network presented by BMO Harris Bank!

Want to upgrade to a Full Season or 20-Game plan? Contact us at (815) 968-5222 or email us at ticketservices@icehogs.com!

2019-20 Regular-Season Records:
Rockford: 29-30-2-2, 62 points (5th, Central Division)
Chicago: 27-26-5-3, 62 points (4th, Central Division)

2020-21 Head-to-Head Schedule:

Feb. 6 Wolves at IceHogs 3 p.m.

Feb. 9 IceHogs at Wolves 2 p.m.

Feb. 16 Wolves at IceHogs 2 p.m.

Mar. 27 IceHogs at Wolves 7 p.m.

Mar. 28 Wolves at IceHogs 4 p.m.

Apr. 3 IceHogs at Wolves 7 p.m.

Apr. 7 Wolves at IceHogs 6 p.m.

Apr. 17 Wolves at IceHogs 6 p.m.

Apr. 21 IceHogs at Wolves 7 p.m.

May 14 Wolves at IceHogs 6 p.m.

May 15 IceHogs at Wolves 7 p.m.

IceHogs vs. Wolves, All-Time
74-57-10-4

Head Coaches
Rockford: Derek King (2nd season with IceHogs)
Chicago: Ryan Warsofsky (1st season with Wolves)

NHL Affiliate
Rockford: Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago: Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators