Rockford, IL - On Friday, Oct. 30, the Rockford IceHogs will host "Pink Ice Night" while facing off against the Manitoba Moose. The BMO Center ice will be dyed pink for one night only, and the organization will raise money to benefit the Mercyhealth Foundation to support the Mercyhealth Cancer Institute. 

The IceHogs first skated on pink ice on Jan. 29, 2010 against the the Peoria Rivermen. Four IceHogs, including Stanley Cup Champion Bryan Bickell, dyed their hair pink to honor breast cancer awareness while other IceHogs skated with pink wigs in pregame warmups before tossing them into the crowd. That night kicked off a historic tradition in Rockford.

Jan 19, 2013, marked one of the most infamous games in IceHogs history. During the 4th annual "Pink in the Rink" night, the IceHogs hosted the Grand Rapids Griffins in a high-scoring affair. Griffins' Landon Ferraro gave Grand Rapids a 6-3 lead with a power-play goal at the 11:54 mark of the second period, before a fuse blew between both teams. On the ensuing faceoff, Rockford's Kyle Beach went after Riley Sheahan of Grand Rapids, igniting a historic brawl. Every skater from Rockford and Grand Rapids began scrapping across the ice, including IceHogs goaltender Carter Hutton dropping gloves with the Griffins goalie Petr Mrazek at center ice. 

The IceHogs and Griffins earned a combined 230 penalty minutes, 13 total ejections (8 IceHogs), and after both starting goalies were ejected from the game, the Griffins would walk away with an 11-6 win, the most single-game goals in Rockford franchise history. IceHogs head coach Ted Dent was handed a two-game suspension, while 6 total players were suspended from a range of 1-to-6 games. 

The IceHogs continued the annual pink ice tradition for nine consecutive seasons. The last Pink in the Rink Night came on Jan 26, 2018, against the Ontario Reign. The IceHogs wore speciality Rockford Peaches-themed jerseys to honor the 75th anniversary of the former Professional Women's Baseball Team that participated in the AAGPBL from 1943-1954. The IceHogs held off the Reign for a 3-2 overtime win. 

Pink at the Rink Night has raised over $175,000 for breast cancer research, women’s health, and other cancer support programs. Now, after an eight-year hiatus, the ice will be pink at the BMO Center for the 10th time in franchise history.

The IceHogs Community Fund will match the total of all money raised from pucks, player-signed items (including jerseys and sticks), a signed goalie mask, and in-game elements. Auction items will go live later this week on DASH.

Tickets are still available for Friday night's game here.