ICEHOGS CALL UPON GOALTENDER BRIGGS

Ross returned to Texas

Rockford, Ill.- Rockford IceHogs General Manager of Hockey Operations Al MacIsaac announced on Tuesday that the American Hockey League club has signed goaltender Kellen Briggs to a Professional Try Out and have released forward Ross Carlson from his PTO.

Briggs was loaned to the IceHogs from the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL). The first-year pro has played in 17 games with Idaho and is the top rated goalie in the ECHL. Overall, the Colorado Springs native has a record of 10-5-1 with a .932 save percentage and a 1.97 goals against average.

The 24-year old puck stopper was the top goaltender at the University of Minnesota the past four seasons. While with the Golden Gophers, Briggs compiled a record 84-26-8 with 14 shutouts in four seasons. Briggs’ shutout total is best in U of M history as is his career save percentage (.906) goals against average (2.45) and win total (84).

The addition of Briggs was necessary as Hogs goalies Wade Flaherty and Mike Brodeur recover from injury. Flaherty has been sidelined since Dec. 7 with a hamstring injury while Brodeur suffered an upper body contusion in the first period of Sunday’s game in Quad City. Brodeur suffered the injury midway through the period and was replaced by Corey Crawford before the second frame.

Carlson played in three games with Rockford after getting loaned to the IceHogs from the Texas Wildcatters on Dec. 29. Carlson potted a goal in his IceHogs debut against Peoria and accumulated six shots on goal during his stay.

Next Home Game: Wednesday, Jan. 16 vs. Manchester Monarchs. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. The Hogs and Monarchs meet for the second and final time this season and first at the MetroCentre. The game is presented by Crown Royal and is Rockford’s first home tilt against an Eastern Conference foe.