ICEHOGS HEAD COACH BILL PETERS TO DO INTERVIEW ON XM RADIO

ICEHOGS HEAD COACH BILL PETERS TO DO INTERVIEW ON XM RADIO
09/29/2008 10:42 AM

Tune into XM 204 on Wednesday morning

Rockford, Ill.- Rockford IceHogs Head Coach Bill Peters is scheduled to conduct an interview on XM Radio on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 8:05 a.m. Peters’ interview will be on XM 204, the NHL Home Ice station.

The show Peters will appear on is “Hockey This Morning” with Scott Laughlin. Peters was named the eighth head coach in IceHogs history in July. The IceHogs are entering their 10th season and second in the American Hockey League as the top affiliates of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Season Tickets And Individual Tickets Now On Sale: The Rockford IceHogs have a variety of season ticket packages available for the 2008-09 season. To find a package that works for you, call (815) 986-6465 and speak with a season ticket sales executive. Individual game tickets are also on sale. Call (815) 968-5222, visit www.metrocentre.com, at the MetroCentre Box Office or in Hogs Headquarters in CherryVale Mall to purchase your tickets for the IceHogs 10th Anniversary season.

ICEHOGS TENTH TRAINING CAMP OPENS

ICEHOGS TENTH TRAINING CAMP OPENS

The IceHogs listen to new coach Bill Peters at training camp Saturday at the MetroCentre.
09/27/2008 11:29 AM -
Two-week camp contniues at the MetroCentre

Rockford, Ill.- The Rockford IceHogs Tenth Anniversary season officially got underway on Saturday afternoon, as the American Hockey League club opened training camp at the Rockford MetroCentre. The two week training camp will run until Friday, Oct. 10 when Rockford begins regular season play against the Quad City Flames at the MetroCentre.

Check out photos from Day 1 and Day 2 in the Photo Gallery.

There were 20 players on the ice for the IceHogs first day of training camp, including five players from the 2007-08 squad. The IceHogs NHL affiliate, the Chicago Blackhawks, has made only one round of cuts during its training camp.

The IceHogs training camp roster includes forwards Kenny Bernard, Adam Berti, Dan Bertram, Judd Blackwater, Nathan Davis, Igor Gongalsky, Adam Hobson, Rob Klinkhammer, Erick Lizon, Peter MacArthur, Ryan Murphy and Mike Radja, defenseman Mike Brennan, Trevor Glass, Danny Groulx, Kenny MacAulay, J.C. Sawyer and Brennan Turner and goalies Joe Fallon and Ryan Nie.

Season Tickets And Individual Tickets Now On Sale: The Rockford IceHogs have a variety of season ticket packages available for the 2008-09 season. To find a package that works for you, call (815) 986-6465 and speak with a season ticket sales executive. Individual game tickets are also on sale. Call (815) 968-5222, visit www.metrocentre.com, at the MetroCentre Box Office or in Hogs Headquarters in CherryVale Mall to purchase your tickets for the IceHogs 10th Anniversary season.

AHL ANNOUNCES MARKETING PARTNERSHIP WITH EA SPORTS

AHL ANNOUNCES MARKETING PARTNERSHIP WITH EA SPORTS


09/26/2008 8:59 AM - Supplements licensing relationship that sees AHL involvement in NHL®09 video game

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League has reached a multi-platform marketing and licensing agreement with Electronic Arts, the world's leading interactive entertainment software company, focusing on the launch of NHL®09, the latest release in EA's NHL franchise.

One component of this partnership includes NHL®09 receiving in-arena signage and promotion throughout the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications, which will take place Jan. 25-26 in Worcester, Mass. Televised to national audiences in the United States and Canada, the annual All-Star Classic is the AHL's showcase of the very best young professional players in the sport, as well as a celebration of the American Hockey League and its storied history.

Additionally, EA will receive significant exposure across the AHL Internet Network, with banner ads promoting the launch of NHL®09 found on the home page of theahl.com, as well as on the AHL Network navigation bar that appears on all pages of all 29 AHL member club Web sites.

For the second year in a row, EA SPORTS has an exclusive license with the American Hockey League allowing all 29 AHL teams, as well as players, uniforms, logos, arenas and trophies, to be featured prominently in NHL®09. The AHL's involvement provides an additional level of authenticity to EA SPORTS' award-winning NHL game franchise, as 84 percent of all current NHL players are graduates of the American Hockey League and the AHL serves as the top development league for all 30 NHL clubs. Gamers can play AHL teams against each other in NHL®09, or use the "Be A Pro" feature to start off in the ranks of the American Hockey League and advance to a potentially legendary career in the NHL.

"This is a terrific extension of the AHL brand to the many people of all ages who enjoy EA's NHL franchise," said Chris Nikolis, AHL executive vice president of marketing and business development. "It has been a pleasure working with EA and we look forward to strengthening our partnership in the future."

Electronic Arts (EA) is the world's leading independent developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for advanced console systems such as PlayStation, Xbox from Microsoft and Nintendo Wii as well as PC games, casual web-based games and games for mobile phone devices. EA SPORTS' NHL®09 is available now for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360; the PlayStation 2 and PC versions will be available in stores in October. For more information, log onto www.easports.com/nhl09. Media can find screenshots and video of the game at http://info.ea.com.

EA and EA SPORTS are trademarks or registered trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries. All rights reserved.

In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 84 percent of today's NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the seventh year in a row, more than 6 million fans attended AHL games across North America in 2007-08. The AHL's 73rd regular season begins on Wed., Oct. 8, as 29 teams begin competition for the prestigious Calder Cup.

BLACKHAWKS TRIM TRAINING CAMP ROSTER TO 42

BLACKHAWKS TRIM TRAINING CAMP ROSTER TO 42

Goaltender Joe Fallon was one of 11 players assigned to Rockford from Chicago on Wednesday. (Photo by Jim Orlando)
09/24/2008 10:40 AM -

Chicago, Ill.-The Chicago Blackhawks have assigned forwards Adam Berti, Dan Bertram, Nathan Davis, Adam Hobson, Peter MacArthur and Mike Radja; defensemen Michael Brennan, Danny Groulx, Jean-Claude Sawyer and Brennan Turner and goaltender Joseph Fallon to the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs.

In addition, the Blackhawks returned forwards Richard Greenop and Maxime Tanguay; defensemen Shawn Lalonde and Teigan Zahn and goaltender Josh Unice to their junior clubs and have released forward Olivier Labelle from training camp.

The Blackhawks’ training camp roster now stands at 42 active players, which includes 26 forwards, 12 defensemen and four goaltenders.

The IceHogs open training camp on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Rockford MetroCentre.

ICEHOGS TENTH TRAINING CAMP

ICEHOGS TENTH TRAINING CAMP TO BEGIN ON SEPT. 27
09/22/2008 1:22 PM

Chicago Blackhawks Head Coach Denis Savard conducts practice during Blackhawks training camp at the Rockford MetroCentre on Sunday. The IceHogs open its training camp on Saturday, September 27th, 2008

IceHogs announce training camp schedule

Rockford, Ill.- Chicago Blackhawks General Manager of Minor League Affiliates Mark Bernard announced the Rockford IceHogs, members of the American Hockey League, training camp schedule for 2008. The camp officially kicks off the IceHogs tenth anniversary season.

Rockford will open training camp on Saturday, Sept. 27 with a practice at 1:30 p.m. at the Rockford MetroCentre. Training camp will run until Thursday, Oct. 9 and will feature two exhibition games against the Peoria Rivermen. Rockford and Peoria will face-off at the MetroCentre at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4.

The IceHogs open up the 2008-09 regular season on Friday, Oct. 10 against the Quad City Flames at 7:30 p.m. at the MetroCentre. All practices during training camp will take place at the MetroCentre.

Below is the entire 2008 IceHogs Training Camp Schedule:

Date Time Location Event
Saturday, Sept. 27 1:30 p.m. MetroCentre Team Practice
Sunday, Sept. 28 10 a.m. MetroCentre Team Practice
Monday, Sept. 29 10 a.m. MetroCentre Team Practice
Tuesday, Sept. 30 10 a.m. MetroCentre Team Practice
Wednesday, Oct. 1 10 a.m. MetroCentre Pre-Game Skate
Wednesday, Oct. 1 7:05 p.m. Carver Arena Preseason Game at Peoria
Thursday, Oct. 2 10 a.m. MetroCentre Team Practice
Friday, Oct. 3 10 a.m. MetroCentre Team Practice
Saturday, Oct. 4 10 a.m. MetroCentre Pre-Game Skate
Saturday, Oct. 4 7:05 p.m. MetroCentre Preseason Game vs. Peoria
Sunday, Oct. 5 Off Day
Monday, Oct. 6 10 a.m. MetroCentre Team Practice
Tuesday, Oct. 7 10 a.m. MetroCentre Team Practice
Wednesday, Oct. 8 10 a.m. MetroCentre Team Practice
Thursday, Oct. 9 10 a.m. MetroCentre Team Practice
Friday, Oct. 10 10 a.m. MetroCentre Pre-game skate
Friday, Oct. 10 7:30 p.m. MetroCentre Game vs. Quad City

*All practice times, dates and locations subject to change

All practices sessions will last approximately two hours and are open to the media. For special media requests, contact the IceHogs Vice President of Communications Mike Peck at (815) 986-6465.

BLACKHAWKS INVADE THE METROCENTRE

BLACKHAWKS INVADE THE METROCENTRE

09/21/2008 3:29 PM - Rockford takes in a day of Chicago training camp

Rockford, Ill.-For one afternoon Rockford hockey fans got to witness what goes into a National Hockey League training camp. Fans were treated to a day of Chicago Blackhawks training camp at the Rockford MetroCentre on Sunday afternoon in the Blackhawks Red and White Event.

The Blackhawks brought the entire team to Rockford for the club’s second full day of training camp. The four-hour session was highlighted by two scrimmages, two practices and autograph sessions.

The likes of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Brian Campbell and Patrick Sharp graced the MetroCentre ice on Sunday afternoon along with some familiar faces from last seasons IceHogs team. Without question it was the most hockey talent on one sheet of ice at one time in Rockford history.

The Blackhawks split up their training camp roster into three teams. Team White skated in both scrimmages on Sunday, coming up victorious, 3-2, over Team Black and 2-1 over Team Red.

Team White jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first scrimmage with goals from Ben Eager, Jesse Boulerice and Tim Brent. Team Black made things interesting with markers from Olivier Labelle and then another from Dave Bolland with 42 second left in the hour-long scrimmage.

The second match-up was tied 1-1 until Toews broke the stalemate with a penalty shot goal. Igor Makarov also potted a goal for Team White while Mike Radja had Team Red’s only lamp lighter.

More than 4,500 fans took in the days events at the MetroCentre. The IceHogs will open their American Hockey League training camp on Saturday, Sept. 27. Chicago’s camp resumes on Monday morning at the United Center.

BERNARD NAMED ICEHOGS TEAM PRESIDENT

BERNARD NAMED ICEHOGS TEAM PRESIDENT

09/18/2008 1:29 PM - Rockford, Ill.- Rockford MetroCentre General Manager Corey Pearson announced on Thursday that Mark Bernard has been named Team President for the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. Bernard will serve as the IceHogs top executive while remaining in his role as the Chicago Blackhawks General Manager of Minor League Affiliates.

HOG TALK at Cousin's Bar & Grill Monday, October 6th, 2008

Date: Monday October 06, 2008
Time: 6:00 PM

Join the IceHogs along with WXRX’s Jim Stone at Cousin’s Bar & Grill for Bud Light Hog Talk. The show runs from 6-7 p.m. The show features IceHogs Head Coach Bill Peters, IceHogs players, and front office staff members.

Fans in attendance can register to win prizes courtesy of the IceHogs, Bud Light, and Cousin’s Bar & Grill. Prizes include IceHogs tickets, merchandise, and much more! Cousin’s Bar & Grill will also feature great food and Bud Light specials.
Bud Light Hog Talk can also be heard live on the IceHogs Flagship Radio Station 1330-AM, WNTA. Cousin’s Bar & Grill is located on the corner of E. State St. and Perryville Rd. in Rockford.

Come skate at the MetroCentre! Friday, September 19th, 5-8PM

09/11/2008 2:32 PM -
Fans can skate on the MetroCentre ice at public skate

Rockford, Ill.- With the Rockford IceHogs 10th Anniversary season just a couple weeks away, the American Hockey League club announced on Thursday that they were hosting an open house to begin the 2008-09 campaign at the Rockford MetroCentre.

The open house is set for Friday, Sept. 19 from 5-8 p.m. at the Rockford MetroCentre. The event is free and open to the public. Fans attending the open house are invited to bring their skates and skate on the fresh MetroCentre ice put in place for the ’08-09 campaign.

Season Ticket Holders can pick up their ticket packages at the IceHogs open house. A season ticket pick-up table will be set up in the lower lobby were patrons enter the arena.

Other activities at the open house include a pick-a-seat for fans looking to purchase a season ticket package for the upcoming season. The best available seats in the MetroCentre will be marked and fans attending the open house will have an opportunity to reserve them for every IceHogs home game.

MetroCentre tours will be conducted as well. Fans can get a guided tour of the MetroCentre including the IceHogs locker room, visitor locker room, Dental Dimensions Club Lounge, Speedway Auto Mall Party Deck, IceHogs corporate office and a sneak peak at the newly renovated upper concourse.

Kids can enjoy moon jumps courtesy of U-Gotta-Jump. The moon jumps will be set up in the main level of the MetroCentre. Fan can also purchase individual game tickets for any regular season, preseason or the Red and White Event.

For more information regarding the IceHogs open house, contact the IceHogs at (815) 986-6465.

Season Tickets And Individual Tickets Now On Sale: The Rockford IceHogs have a variety of season ticket packages available for the 2008-09 season. To find a package that works for you, call (815) 986-6465 and speak with a season ticket sales executive. Individual game tickets are also on sale. Call (815) 968-5222, visit www.metrocentre.com, at the MetroCentre Box Office or in Hogs Headquarters in CherryVale Mall to purchase your tickets for the IceHogs 10th Anniversary season.

NEW SEASON-LONG CAMPAIGN

09/10/2008 2:31 PM - New season-long campaign focused on getting fans into the seats

Rockford, Ill- With the beginning of the 2008-09 season right around the corner, the Rockford IceHogs, proud members of the American Hockey League and top affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, unveiled the club’s new marketing campaign on Wednesday.

The IceHogs marketing efforts for the 2008-09 season will be focused around the theme “You Gotta Be Here”. With the team entering its tenth season in Rockford and second in the AHL, the club is putting out a challenge to potential new fans and those who haven’t been to the Rockford MetroCentre in a while to check out the hockey talent and family-friendly atmosphere that has become a staple of entertainment in the Forest City.

“’You Gotta Be Here’ is a call to old and new fans alike,” said IceHogs President Ryan Washatka. “In 2007-08, our loyal fans got a chance to see how truly skilled AHL players can be. From our opening night to the final game of our seven-game playoff series against the Chicago Wolves, the quality of play was impressive. Now it’s time to spread the word and show the rest of Rockford how incredible our affiliation with the Chicago Blackhawks really is.”

The “You Gotta Be Here” logo and theme will be incorporated into 2008-09 publications and the e-newsletter as well as radio, print and television ads. For more information regarding the IceHogs marketing campaign for 2008-09, contact the IceHogs office at (815) 986-6465.

Season Tickets And Individual Tickets Now On Sale: The Rockford IceHogs have a variety of season ticket packages available for the 2008-09 season. To find a package that works for you, call (815) 986-6465 and speak with a season ticket sales executive. Individual game tickets are also on sale. Call (815) 968-5222, visit www.metrocentre.com, at the MetroCentre Box Office or in Hogs Headquarters in CherryVale Mall to purchase your tickets for the IceHogs 10th Anniversary season.