Rockford IceHogs News

David Gust's game-winner lifts IceHogs to overtime win against the Colorado Eagles

Scott Leber — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 03:56:13 +0000

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF)--The IceHogs and overtime hockey go together. The boys had yet another one Saturday night at the BMO Center, and for the second time in four nights they'll pulled out the win. They beat the Colorado Eagles 3-2.

Wednesday night it was Rocco Grimaldi who had the game winner in the extra session against Manitoba. This time it was David Gust who came through causing the hometown crowd of 5,360 to erupt in cheers. Gust started the play the led to his goal by laying out on the defensive end in front of Arvid Soderblom to block a shot by the Eagles. Gust then raced to the other end where he took a centering pass from Jakub Galvas and while falling Gust backhanded the puck into the net past Justus Annunen. It was Gust's 25th goal of the season.

The IceHogs' first goal of the night was scored by Zach Jordan in the first period. An even-strength goal for his first goal as an IceHog. Luke Philp kept up his hot scoring pace by adding a power play goal in the second period on a deflection. For Philp it was his 21st goal of the season.

Soderblom delivered 33 saves to earn the win.

For highlights, watch the media player above.

IceHogs fight their way to an OT win over Manitoba

Regan Holgate — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 03:54:46 +0000

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The IceHogs were back at the BMO Wednesday after their five-game road stretch. They hosted the Manitoba Moose.

The IceHogs closed out this contest in overtime with a 4-3 win.

Luke Philp carded two goals. His first came in the first period to tie the game at one. The next came in the second period to put the Hogs up by a score. He now has 20 goals on the season.

Bobby Lynch got in on the action with a goal in the second, his 11th of the season. He carded two points in this contest (1G, 1A).

But it was the newcomer, Rocco Grimaldi to win it for the Hogs in OT. He picked the perfect time to score his first as an IceHog. He leads the AHL in scoring with 28 goals.

Here are the Central Division standings:
1. Texas Stars - 72 points
2. Milwaukee Admirals - 71 points
3. Manitoba Moose - 70 points
4. Iowa Wild - 65 points
5. Rockford IceHogs - 65 points
6. Chicago Wolves - 55 points
7. Grand Rapids Griffins - 55 points

The IceHogs are home again Friday night hosting the Colorado Eagles. Game time is 7 p.m.

For highlights of Wednesday night’s game watch the media player above.

Rocco Grimaldi's added scoring touch a welcome addition to the Rockford IceHogs

Scott Leber — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 02:36:45 +0000

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF)-- The Rockford IceHogs will play three home games this week, giving us our first in-person look at all the new guys who were added at the trade deadline. One of them is forward Rocco Grimaldi who was picked up in a trade with the San Diego Gulls.

Grimaldi is one of the elite scorers in the AHL. This season he's averaging better than a point a game, and he's already set a career season high with 57 points.

"I've been playing at a good level, especially this past month,” said Grimaldi after a recent practice. “I feel like I've taken it to another level too. I've been doing a lot of good stuff on the ice and working off the ice trying to watch more video and figure some things out, and it's helped a lot this month."

Grimaldi's 57 points this season rank seventh best in the entire AHL. His 27 goals tie him for second in the league.

"I'm 30 years old, but I feel like I'm 20, and I've got a lot of years ahead of me."

For now the IceHogs hope Grimaldi has some good months ahead of him, so he can help them get into the Calder Cup playoffs and then do some damage in the playoffs. The IceHogs know well what Grimaldi can do. They used to face him all the time last season when he played for the Milwaukee Admirals. He averaged better than a point per game for them too.

"He's a really, really good player at any level,” said IceHogs head coach Anders Sorensen. “I know myself I used to have nightmares about him the last couple years when he was in Milwaukee, and every time you were on the ice you hold your breath."

Grimaldi has NHL experience. He has played in 203 NHL games scoring 67 points with the Panthers, Predators and Avalanche.

The IceHogs got him from San Diego for future considerations. He was one of several new additions at the trade deadline. Right now, Grimaldi is trying to develop chemistry with all of his new teammates ASAP.

"When I'm play with new guys, I try to look at how they play. What spots they're typically in. I don’t need people to adapt to how I play. I can adapt to how they play. I think if you’re a really good player that’s what you’re supposed to do.”

"I'm here to help this team go as far as it can."

Notre Dame forward Ryder Rolston joining the IceHogs

Scott Leber — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 22:35:55 +0000

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) [IceHogs news release]--The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Ryder Rolston on a three-year, entry-level contract that runs through the 2025-26 season ($895,000 salary cap hit). Rolston will report to the Rockford IceHogs.

Rolston, 21, appeared in 27 games with the University of Notre Dame during the 2022-23 campaign, posting 20 points (7G, 13A). His seven goals and 20 points each ranked third on the team, while his 13 assists shared third best among all Fighting Irish skaters.

A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Rolston dressed in 93 collegiate games with Notre Dame from 2020-23, totaling 53 points (18G, 35A). During his sophomore season in 2021-22, Rolston tallied career highs in goals (10), assists (17) and points (27).

Prior to his collegiate career, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward skated in 42 games with the Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL), registering 33 points (16G, 17A). He also competed in 106 games with the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2017-19, totaling 70 points (46G, 24A).

He’s the son of former NHLer and Stanley Cup Champion, Brian Rolston.

Hogs secure point in 2-1 OT loss to Griffins

Regan Holgate — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 03:58:31 +0000

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WTVO/WQRF) — The Rockford IceHogs dropped a 2-1 contest in overtime to the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday night at Van Andel Arena. Bobby Lynch netted his ninth goal of the season in the IceHogs’ league-leading 21st overtime period.

Coming off his game-winning shootout goal against the Laval Rocket on Mar. 4, IceHogs forward Morgan Adams-Moisan dropped the gloves with Griffins defenseman Wyatt Newpower at 2:17 to ignite the Friday night action.

Nearing the end of what appeared to be a scoreless first period, defenseman Louis Crevier was charged with a two-minute interference penalty, and Grand Rapids went on the power play with 1:29 left in the initial frame. After Griffins forward Matt Luff fired a shot from the right circle, forward Joel L’Esperance cleaned up the rebound and chipped a shot past Rockford goaltender Arvid Soderblom at 18:45 to take a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

Forward Bobby Lynch tied the contest 1-1 on the Hogs’ third man advantage in the final frame with a highlight reel-worthy between-the-legs goal at 9:15. When forward Rocco Grimaldi’s shot missed high over the crossbar, Lynch was ready on the edge of the crease and knocked the loose puck between his legs and past Griffins netminder Alex Nedeljkovic. Grimaldi recorded his first point as an IceHog with the assist.

The Griffins stunned the IceHogs only 17 seconds into the overtime period when Grand Rapids defenseman Jared McIsaac caught a centering pass and angled the puck into the net to earn the 2-1 win. Soderblom marked 31 saves on 33 Grand Rapids shots but was tagged with the overtime loss, and Nedeljkovic turned away 29 of 30 Rockford shots for the victory.

The next home game for Rockford is Wednesday, March 15 against the Manitoba Moose at 7 p.m.

Blackhawks sign Luke Philp to one-year contract

Regan Holgate — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 22:29:58 +0000

CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The Chicago Blackhawks today announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Luke Philp on a one-year, two-way contract that runs through the 2023-24 season ($775,000 salary cap hit). Philp is currently playing with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.

Philp, 27, has appeared in two NHL games with the Blackhawks this season, posting one assist. The forward made his NHL debut on Jan. 24 at Vancouver and posted his first career NHL point on Jan. 26 at Calgary (1A). He has also skated in 45 AHL games with the IceHogs this year, recording 38 points (18G, 20A). His 18 goals are tied for third on the team, while his 38 points rank fourth among all Rockford skaters.

A native of Canmore, Alberta, Philp has dressed in 193 career regular-season AHL games split between the Stockton Heat (2019-22) and Rockford IceHogs (2022-23), compiling 130 points (66G, 64A). Philp competed with Stockton during the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs, registering five points (1G, 4A) in ten postseason games.

Prior to his professional career, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound forward appeared in 264 career WHL games with the Kootenay Ice (2012-16) and Red Deer Rebels (2015-16), notching 251 points (103G, 148A). He then played in 78 games with the University of Alberta (USports), securing 103 points (42G, 61A) in three seasons from 2016-19. During his junior season in 2018-19, Philp served as an alternate captain and earned USports Men’s Player of the Year honors after recording 45 points (21G, 24A) in 24 contests.

New additions should boost the IceHogs' playoff hopes

Scott Leber — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 04:20:15 +0000

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF)--The IceHogs felt like they were a playoff hockey team before the NHL trade deadline. Now, after a flurry of deals at the deadline last week, they feel like they're in an even better position to make a postseason run.

The IceHogs' practice Tuesday at the Riverview Ice House felt a little like training camp. With so many news guys on the ice, they were simply trying to get to know each other.

"There's a lot of new faces, but all the new guys that have came in, they're great guys, and they look like really good players on the ice, and they're great guys off the ice,” said IceHogs’ forward Mike Hardman.

Players who were subtracted from the team at the trade deadline included Adam Clendening, Dylan Sikura, Josiah Slavin and Dylan Wells.

The newcomers who have arrived include veteran goaltender Anton Khudobin from one of the Hogs' division rivals the Texas Stars, and two former San Diego Gulls players defenseman Hunter Drew and forward Rocco Grimaldi. Grimaldi ranks second in the AHL in goals scored and seventh in the league in points.

Those two guys go from a last place team in San Diego, to a playoff contender in Rockford.

Grimaldi was surprised to be traded.

“I was shocked. I expected that I was probably going to finish the year there, and we probably weren't going to make the playoff, so I was going to be done in 15 games, and all of a sudden now you're in a playoff push, so it's pretty cool."

Khudobin says he thought something might happen, and then it did. "The general manager called me from here, Bernie (Mark Bernard) and he said you're going to Rockford. That's the plan.”

“We went on the ice for the first time today (for practice). It was fun. It was a hard practice. I enjoyed everything quite well."

Obviously, the Blackhawks were trying to stockpile draft picks up at that level, but what do all the moves at the AHL level with the IceHogs’ signal about what the Blackhawks expectations are for the Hogs for the rest of this season?

"I think our expectations is to make the playoffs and make a run,” said IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen. “I think they tried to put us in a position where we can do that."

IceHogs general manager Mark Bernard pulled the trigger on some of the trades including the one that landed Grimaldi.

"That's something I've been working on here for the last three or four weeks. I finally was able to convince the San Diego team to trade him our way. I'm very happy that we were able to get him.

Bernard says with Grimaldi the IceHogs have added a premier scorer. With the additions of Drew and defenseman Andy Welinski who was part of the Patrick Kane trade, they've added more size and defense, and with the addition of Khudobin the IceHogs now have as good of depth at goaltender as any team in the league.

"We're looking to make a good push here this spring and go far in the playoffs,” said Bernard. “I think these players can definitely help us do that."

We won't get to see the news guys in game action in Rockford until next Wednesday. The Hogs two games this weekend will be on the road.

IceHogs' Dylan Sikura dealt to Anaheim

Scott Leber — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 23:39:48 +0000

CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF)--The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired forward Maxim Golod from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Dylan Sikura. In addition, the Rockford IceHogs announced that the team has acquired forwards Rocco Grimaldi and Logan Nijhoff from the San Diego Gulls in exchange for future considerations. Nijhoff and Golod will both report directly to the ECHL's Indy Fuel.

Grimaldi, 30, leads the Gulls in scoring with 56 points (27G, 29A) this season. Prior to the current campaign, the winger spent four seasons with the Nashville Predators organization. Over the course of his nine-year professional career, Grimaldi has posted 67 points (30G, 37A) in 203 NHL contests with the Florida Panthers (2014-16), Colorado Avalanche (2016-18), and Predators (2018-22). The Anaheim, California native has produced 280 points (133G, 147A) in 354 AHL games since turning pro out of the University of North Dakota.

Nijhoff, 21, has appeared in 16 games with San Diego this season. The forward has posted 10 points (6G, 4A) in 25 contests with the ECHL's Tulsa Oilers during the current circuit.

Golod, 22, has skated in one American Hockey League game with the San Diego Gulls during the 2022-23 campaign. He’s also played in 42 ECHL games with the Tulsa Oilers, leading the club with 31 assists and 43 points (12G, 31A).

Sikura, 27, served as an alternate captain for the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) during the 2022-23 season, posting 32 points (14G, 18A) in 52 games. He played in 47 career games with the Blackhawks from 2017-20, compiling 14 points (1G, 13A).

IceHogs trade Adam Clendening to the Hartford Wolfpack

Scott Leber — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 04:21:14 +0000

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF)--The Rockford IceHogs have acquired forward Zach Jordan from the Hartford Wolf Pack in exchange for defenseman Adam Clendening. In addition, the Chicago Blackhawks announced today that defenseman Andy Welinski has been loaned to Rockford. Jordan will be loaned to the ECHL's Indy Fuel.

Welinski, 29, has dressed in 40 games this season with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL), tallying 16 points (4G, 12A). His 12 assists and 16 points each rank fourth among club blueliners. Welinski was acquired earlier today by Chicago in a trade that sent Patrick Kane and Cooper Zech to the New York Rangers.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound defenseman has appeared in 46 career regular-season NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks from 2017-21, registering six points (1G, 5A). He made one appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2018, skating in three postseason games with Anaheim. Additionally, Welinski has recorded 139 points (39G, 100A) in 270 career AHL regular-season games with the San Diego Gulls (2016-19 and 2021-21), Lehigh Valley Phantoms (2019-20), Stockton Heat (2021-22) and Hartford (2022-23). He was named to the AHL All-Star Game in 2017-18 after registering career highs in goals (10), assists (24), and points (34).

Clendening, 30, had recorded 24 points (3G, 21A) in 48 games with Rockford this season in his fifth campaign with the team.

Jordan, 26, is in his third professional season out of the University of Nebraska Omaha. The 6-foot-3, 216-pound winger has appeared in one game with Hartford this season and has also tabbed 26 points (17G, 9A) in 43 games with the ECHL's Jacksonville Icemen during the campaign. After starting his professional career in Slovakia, Jordan played the previous season and a half with the Cleveland Monsters where he registered 6 points (4G, 2A) in 27 games in 2020-21 and three points (2G, 1A) in 19 games in 2021-22.

Blackhawks deal Lafferty and McCabe to the Maple Leafs

Scott Leber — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 18:47:09 +0000

CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF)--The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired forwards Joey Anderson and Pavel Gogolev, a 2025 conditional first-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Sam Lafferty, defenseman Jake McCabe, a 2024 conditional fifth-round pick and 2025 conditional fifth-round pick. In addition, the Blackhawks will retain 50% of McCabe’s salary. Gogolev will report directly to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.

Anderson, 24, has skated in 14 games with the Maple Leafs this season, registering three points (2G, 1A). He’s also posted 27 points (14G, 13A) in 30 contests with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. His 14 goals rank sixth on the club while his 27 points are eighth.

The 6-foot, 207-pound forward has played in 72 career NHL games with Toronto (2020-23) and New Jersey (2018-20), compiling 16 points (10G, 6A). In 163 career AHL contests with the Marlies and Binghamton Devils, Anderson has 120 points (64G, 56A). He played two seasons with the University of Minnesota Duluth (NCHC) from 2016-18, posting 64 points (23G, 41A) in 75 games, helping the team win the NCAA National Championship in 2018.

A native of Roseville, Minnesota, Anderson was originally drafted by New Jersey in the third round (73rd overall) in the 2016 NHL Draft. Anderson won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship and a bronze in 2018. He also won bronze with Team USA at the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championship.

Gogolev, 23, has played in one AHL contest with the Marlies this season. The forward has spent the majority of the campaign with the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL, recording 48 points (21G, 27A) in 33 games. His 48 points rank second on the team and his 21 goals are tied for second.

The 6-foot-1, 197-pound skater has totaled 20 points (9G, 11A) in 45 career AHL games with the Marlies and 68 points (30G, 38A) in 47 career ECHL games with the Growlers. He’s also posted eight points (3G, 5A) in 10 postseason ECHL games. Hailing from Moscow, Russia, Gogolev spent time with Väsby IK (HockeyAllsvenskan), registering three points (2G, 1A) in 12 contests.

Rough third period costs the IceHogs in a loss to the Texas Stars

Scott Leber — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 05:03:13 +0000

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF)--The Rockford IceHogs have fared well against the Texas Stars this season. That was until Wednesday night. They lost to the Stars 5-3 at the BMO Center.

The IceHogs had won five of their previous seven matchups with the Stars this season. But it's the Stars who are ahead of the IceHogs in the AHL's Central Division standings.

A poor third period did in the IceHogs. The game was tied 2-2 after the second period, but the Stars outscored the IceHogs 3-1 in the third frame.

The IceHogs got two goals from David Gust, his 23rd and 24th of the season. Michal Teply scores his sixth goal of the season.

Arvid Soderblom was in goal. He allowed four goals while coming up with 26 saves. Next up for the IceHogs is a game at Iowa Friday night. Their next home game will be Saturday night also against Iowa.

For highlights of this game, watch the media player above.

Sikura’s hat trick propels Hogs past Wild

Regan Holgate — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 03:44:23 +0000

DES MOINES, Iowa. (WTVO/WQRF) — The Rockford IceHogs battled for their first regulation win since Dec. 31 and toppled the Iowa Wild 5-3 on Sunday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena. Forward Dylan Sikura registered his first hat trick of the season, including two goals in the third period.

The IceHogs scored first on Sunday afternoon, taking an early 1-0 lead in the first period when Sikura tallied his 11th goal of the season. Stealing the puck on Rockford’s blue line, Sikura hustled down the ice on a clean breakaway and sniped a shot from the low slot past Iowa netminder Zane McIntyre at 12:34.

Rockford successfully killed two back-to-back penalties late in the stanza; however, right as the Wild’s second power play of the first frame came to an end, Iowa tied the contest 1-1 with 30 seconds left in the period. Iowa forward Nic Petan lifted a wrister from the slot over the blocker of IceHogs goalie Arvid Soderblom, netting the equalizer before heading into the first intermission.

Despite plenty of back-and-forth action to start the middle period, neither team could produce real scoring opportunities, totaling 14 combined shots. The Hogs finally broke through halfway through the frame when Lukas Reichel punched in his 17th goal of the season and extended his point streak to four games. Defenseman Adam Clendening dropped a pass back to Reichel in the right circle, and the 20-year-old forward rocketed a one-timer behind McIntyre at 10:48 to give Rockford a 2-1 lead.

Sikura netted his second goal of the game early in the third period and extended the Hogs’ lead to 3-1. Defenseman Alex Vlasic fired a wrister from the left point that deflected off a Wild defender in the crease, and Sikura was waiting in the right circle to knock the loose puck into the open net at 6:08.

Iowa rookie forward Sammy Walker brought the contest back to a one-goal game at 3-2 at the midpoint of the final frame. An errant Rockford pass set up a breakaway for the Wild, and Walker chipped a shot from the slot over Soderblom’s glove at 10:12.

After fending off Iowa’s crucial power play at 12:31, Sikura bagged his first hat trick of the season when forward David Gust shuttled a short pass to the left circle, and Sikura launched a quick shot over the shoulder of McIntyre at 16:17 to give the Hogs a 4-2 lead.

The Wild would not go quietly, and with McIntyre pulled for the extra attacker, Iowa forward Steven Fogarty knocked in a loose puck from Petan’s one-timer at 18:40, shortening Rockford’s lead to 4-3. IceHogs forward D.J. Busdeker put the stamp on the match with an empty-net goal at 19:55 and sealed the Hogs’ 5-3 win.

Soderblom earned his fifth win of the season, marking 22 saves on 25 Iowa shots, and McIntyre was tagged with the loss, turning away 11 of 15 Rockford shots.

The Hogs are back on the ice Wednesday night as they host the Texas Stars at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.