The Rockford IceHogs are a professional

ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice hock ...

team based in

Rockford, Illinois Rockford is a city in Winnebago County, Illinois, located in the far northern part of the state. Situated on the banks of the Rock River, Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County (a small portion of the city is located in Ogle County). ...

. They are members of the

American Hockey League The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary Minor league#Ice hockey, developmental league for the National Hockey League (NHL). Since the 2010–11 AHL se ...

(AHL), having begun play in the League starting in the 2007–08 season. The team plays their home games at the

BMO Harris Bank Center The BMO Center (formerly known as BMO Harris Bank Center and Rockford MetroCentre) is a multi-purpose arena located in downtown Rockford, Illinois. It is currently home to the AHL's Rockford IceHogs hockey team. The arena formerly served as th ...

, and they serve as the top minor league affiliate of the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...

(NHL)'s

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division i ...

History

The current Rockford IceHogs were founded in 1995 as the

Baltimore Bandits The Baltimore Bandits were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League in the 1995–96 and 1996–97 seasons. They played in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Baltimore Arena. The Bandits were an affiliate of the National Hockey League's Might ...

and then relocated in 1997 to

Cincinnati Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state line wit ...

to become the

Cincinnati Mighty Ducks The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks were a professional ice hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They were members of the American Hockey League, and played their home games at the Cincinnati Gardens. Throughout their existence they were the primary mi ...

. The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks suspended operations for the 2005–06 season due to the lack of an NHL affiliate after their previous affiliates, the

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

and the

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: * ''Mighty'' (The Planet Smashers album) * ''Mighty'' (Kristene DiMarco album) * ''The Mighty'' (1929 film), a 1929 American action film *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy-drama film * ''The Mighty'' (comics), a DC Comics title *Th ...

, signed new agreements with the

Grand Rapids Griffins The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional ice hockey, hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and play home games at Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of the National H ...

and the

Portland Pirates The Portland Pirates were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL). Their home arena was the Cross Insurance Arena in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the Baltimore Skipjacks fr ...

, respectively. The franchise was later renamed the Cincinnati RailRaiders, but failed to reach a goal of 2,000 season tickets to re-enter the AHL for the 2006–07 season. On March 19, 2007, the AHL announced that the team had been purchased and relocated to Rockford to become the present-day Rockford IceHogs. On April 7, 2021, the Blackhawks formally purchased the IceHogs. The Blackhawks also unveiled a $23 million multi-year project to renovate and modernize the BMO Harris Bank Center, which would keep the IceHogs in Rockford through 2036.

Timeline

;The franchise was previously known as: *

(1995–1997) *

(1997–2005) (an affiliate of the

and

) ;The market was previously served by: *

Rockford IceHogs The Rockford IceHogs are a professional ice hockey team based in Rockford, Illinois. They are members of the American Hockey League (AHL), having begun play in the League starting in the 2007–08 season. The team plays their home games at the ...

(1999–2007) UHL

Season-by-season results

Players

Current roster

Updated February 26, 2023.

Team captains

Jim Fahey James M. Fahey (born May 11, 1979) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the San Jose Sharks and the New Jersey Devils. He last played for the Krefeld Pinguine of the DEL. P ...

, 2007–2008 *

Tim Brent Tim Brent (born March 10, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played over 200 games in the National Hockey League (NHL), most notably for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes. Playing career Junior hockey B ...

, 2008–2009 * Jake Dowell, 2009–2010 *

Garnet Exelby John Garnet Exelby (born August 16, 1981) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Atlanta Thrashers and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was particularly known for his aggressive styl ...

, 2010–2011 *

Brandon Segal Brandon Segal (born July 12, 1983) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He most recently played under contract to the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Playing career As a youth, Segal played in the 19 ...

and Brian Fahey, 2011–2012 * Martin St. Pierre, 2012–2013 *

Jared Nightingale Jared Nightingale (born October 3, 1982) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who primarily played in the American Hockey League (AHL). Playing career On January 30, 2009, Nightingale signed an AHL contract with the Hartford W ...

, 2013–2014 *

Joakim Nordstrom Joakim or Joacim is a male given name primarily used in Scandinavian languages and Finnish. It is derived from a transliteration of the Hebrew יהוֹיָקִים, and literally means "lifted by Jehovah". In the Old Testament, Jehoiakim was a ...

, 2014–2015 *

Brandon Mashinter Brandon Mashinter (born September 20, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left wing. He is currently a free agent. Playing career In 2004, Mashinter was drafted in the 6th round of the Ontario Hockey League, 116th overall by the Sarnia ...

, 2015–2016 * Jake Dowell, 2016–2017 *

Kris Versteeg Kristopher Royce Versteeg (born May 13, 1986) is a Canadian entrepreneur and former professional ice hockey winger. During his career, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hur ...

, 2019 *

Tyler Sikura Tyler Sikura (born May 18, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently playing for HC Bolzano of the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL) Playing career Tyler Sikura played midget hockey in the Markham Waxers system, then played two ...

, 2019–2020 * Garrett Mitchell 2021–present

Notable alumni

Bryan Bickell Bryan Bickell (born March 9, 1986) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 20 ...

, 2007–2010, 2016 *

Dave Bolland David D. Bolland (born June 5, 1986) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Bolland was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. While playing junior hockey in the Ontario H ...

, 2007–2008 *

Brandon Bollig Brandon D. Bollig (born January 31, 1987) is an American former professional ice hockey player. An undrafted player, Bollig signed with the Chicago Blackhawks organization in 2010 after playing college hockey for St. Lawrence University. He made ...

, 2010–2013 *

Troy Brouwer Troy Brouwer (born August 17, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. He played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Capitals, Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers and the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). T ...

, 2007–2009 *

Corey Crawford Corey Crawford (born December 31, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Nicknamed "Crow" by teammates and fans, he played his entire professional career with the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL), w ...

, 2007–2010 *

Phillip Danault Phillip Danault (born February 24, 1993) is a Canadian professional ice hockey center and an alternate captain for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 26th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL En ...

, 2011–2016 *

Scott Darling Scott Darling (born December 22, 1988) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender. He previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes. Darling was selected by the Phoenix C ...

, 2014–2015 *

Niklas Hjalmarsson Niklas Hjalmarsson (born 6 June 1987) is a Swedish retired professional ice hockey defenceman who last played for HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He previously also played for the Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes of the National ...

, 2007–2009 *

Carter Hutton Carter John Hutton (born December 19, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres and the Arizona ...

, 2011–2013 * Marcus Kruger, 2012–2013 *

Nick Leddy Nicholas Michael Leddy (born March 20, 1991) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the first round, 16th overall, by the Minnesota Wild in the 2009 NHL E ...

, 2010–2011, 2012–2013 *

Jeremy Morin Jeremy Morin (born April 16, 1991) is an American former professional ice hockey left winger. Morin played major junior hockey for the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the team he was drafted from in the second round, 45th ...

, 2010–2014 * Antti Niemi, 2008–2009 *

Brandon Pirri Brandon Pirri (born April 10, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (AHL). He was selected by the Chicago Bl ...

, 2010–2014 *

Brandon Saad Brandon Saad (born October 27, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). Saad was raised in Pittsburgh and attended Pine-Richland High School. He was draf ...

, 2012–2013 *

Andrew Shaw Andrew Shaw may refer to: *Andrew Shaw (businessman), president and CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra * Andrew Shaw (golfer) (1898–1983), former professional golfer *Andrew Shaw (ice hockey) (born 1991), Canadian ice hockey player *Andrew Sha ...

, 2011–2013 *

Jack Skille Jack Skille (born May 19, 1987) is an American former professional ice hockey right winger. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, and the Vancouver C ...

, 2008–2010 * Ben Smith, 2009–2013 *

Trevor van Riemsdyk Trevor van Riemsdyk (born July 24, 1991) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the Stanley Cup in 2015, his rookie season, with the Chicago Blackhawks and has als ...

, 2014–2015 *

, 2007–2008, 2019

Team records

;Regular season :Goals:

: 35 (2007–08) :Assists: Martin St. Pierre: 67 (2007–08) :Points: Martin St. Pierre: 88 (2007–08) :Plus/minus: Stephen Johns: 30 (2014–15) :Penalty minutes:

Kyle Hagel Kyle Hagel (born January 21, 1985) is a Canadians, Canadian former professional ice hockey Defenseman (ice hockey), defenseman. He played 373 games in the American Hockey League and is currently an assistant coach of the Seattle Thunderbirds in t ...

: 245 (2010–11) :Goaltending wins:

: 29 (2007–08) :GAA:

: 2.20 (2014–15) :SV%:

: 0.927 (2014-15) ;Playoffs :Goals: Chris DiDomenico : 7 (2017–18) :Assists: Martin St. Pierre: 12 (2007–08) :Points: Chris DiDomenico: 18 (2017–18) :Plus/minus:

: 10 (2007–08) :Penalty minutes:

Mike Blunden Michael Charles Blunden (born December 15, 1986) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. Over his professional career, Blunden has appeared in over 100 National Hockey League (NHL) games with the Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightnin ...

: 35 (2007–08) :Goaltending wins:

: 7 (2007–08) :GAA: Corey Crawford: 2.19 (2007–08) :SV%: Corey Crawford: 0.924 (2007–08)

References

External links

Official website
{{Illinois Sports 1 Ice hockey clubs established in 2007 2007 establishments in Illinois Ice hockey teams in Illinois