ICEHOGS ANNOUNCE 2008-09 TEAM AWARDS

Tim Brent named Team MVP

Rockford, Ill.- The home portion of the 2008-09 regular season schedule came to an end on Friday night for the Rockford IceHogs and prior to the game, the organization handed out their team awards. IceHogs Team President Mark Bernard presented the awards on the ice.

Overall, eight awards were given to members of the ’08-09 IceHogs club. All award winners were presented with a plaque.

Rockford’s team captain Tim Brent was named the club’s Most Valuable Player. Entering play on Friday Brent leads all IceHogs skaters with 61 points through 63 games. His point total matches a career high that the center originally set last year while playing with the Wilkes/Barre-Scranton Penguins. Brent was also awarded with the IceHogs’ Leading Scorer award.

Brent leads Rockford with 41 helpers and set an IceHogs AHL club record with four shorthanded goals. The fifth year centerman received two recalls to the Chicago Blackhawks and appeared in two games with the parent club.

Tim Hambly was named the IceHogs’ Best Defenseman for 2008-09. The blueliner is wrapping up his first season in the Blackhawks organization and entering play tonight has yet to miss a regular season game. The fourth year d-man has four goals and 24 assists with a plus/minus rating of +8. Hambly has already set a career high in games played with 78 contests.

First-year winger Pete MacArthur was given the team’s Rookie of the Year. The Boston University product has been an impact player down the stretch for the IceHogs and has totaled 13g-11a-24pts entering the final weekend of the regular season. Over his past 20 games, MacArthur has chipped in seven goals and four assists plus he has tallied the game-winning goal in regulation twice and once in the shootout.

Forward Rob Klinkhammer was awarded with Rockford’s Unsung Hero Award. In his second season, first with the IceHogs, Klinkhammer has played a variety of roles during the ’08-09 campaign. Klinkhammer has skated on the IceHogs’ top line as well as the checking line this year and has topped his point total from his rookie season, accumulating 15g-18a-33pts and a plus/minus rating of +14.

Another second-year player was named Most Improved. Evan Brophey has nearly doubled his offensive output and raised his goal total by 12 during his sophomore campaign in Rockford. With two games remaining, Brophey had 16g-23a-39pts, besting his 19 points from last year. Not only did Brophey improve in the points department, he also elevated his plus/minus from -9 a season ago to +14 this year.

Winger Bryan Bickell was recognized as Rockford’s Heavy Hitter. Bickell’s season has been plagued by injury, but when in the line-up the third year pro has provided a physical presence for the IceHogs. The Orono, Ont. native has played in 40 games to this point in ’08-09 chipping in 6g-8a-14pts with 56 penalty minutes.

Earlier this season, the AHL along with the IceHogs, announced that Sean McMorrow was named Rockford’s Man of the Year. McMorrow was presented with a crystal plaque from the AHL and an award from the IceHogs during the pregame ceremony for his commitment to the Rockford community throughout the 2008-09 season.

Playoff Tickets Are On Sale: The Rockford IceHogs are in the 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs. Pick up tickets for the first two games by calling (815) 968-5222 or stop by the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office or Hogs Headquarters at Cherryvale Mall. Schedule, times, dates and opponent to be determined.