SEASON TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE FOR 2011-12

By: Mike Peck

Rockford, Ill.- Season ticket packages for the Rockford IceHogs 2011-12 regular season are now on sale and fans can choose from a variety of ticket packages to fit their needs. Ticket packages range from the full 38-game season ticket packages to customizable five-game mini packs. The IceHogs are also once again offering 20-game ticket packages. Fans can save up to 33% off of individual game ticket prices by purchasing an IceHogs season ticket package. Season ticket holders can set up a payment plan and just a $50 deposit (per seat) is needed to reserve your season ticket for the 13th season of IceHogs hockey. Other full season ticket holder benefits include: -Guaranteed Same Seat For Every Home Game -First Right of Refusal For Playoff Tickets -Membership in the Friends of Hammy Programs -Never A Wasted Ticket Policy (exchange any unused season ticket at the MetroCentre Box Office for a ticket of equal or lesser value to any upcoming IceHogs game) -Early Entrance (Season ticket holders can gain access into the Rockford MetroCentre up to 15-minutes early) To purchase your season ticket package for 2011-12 or for more information call (815) 847-6399. Fans can also visit http://www.icehogs.com/tickets/season/.

2010-11 ANOTHER RECORD SETTING YEAR FOR ICEHOGS

By: Nate Haeni

Photo by Greg Hamil Rockford, Ill. – Looking back on the 2010-11 season for the Rockford IceHogs, which ended on April 10, the Hogs set or matched 31 franchise records and established or tied 74 AHL era records. The IceHogs saw a spike in attendance for the fourth straight season, setting a new franchise record with 174,418 fans taking in a game during the 2010-11 season. The Hogs averaged 4,360 per game at the MetroCentre, which is up from 3,978 in 2009-10, an increase of 9.6%. Goaltender Alec Richards set 19 high-water marks on the campaign, most of which were rookie goaltending records. In fact, Richards set or tied all ten of the IceHogs AHL rookie goaltending season records in his first full professional season.  Fellow puckstopper, Hannu Toivonen etched his name in the IceHogs record book five times, including AHL bests for most saves in regulation (43) and most saves in a win (44). Defenseman Brian Connelly will most likely become the last IceHogs skater to play in all 80 games as the American Hockey League is reducing the schedule to 76 contests beginning in 2011-12. Connelly also found his way into IceHogs history 13 times, including a franchise mark for most assists by a defenseman with 44. Center Evan Brophey broke Rockford’s all-time games played record by appearing in his 299th career games in an IceHogs sweater. Below is a list of all the records set by the IceHogs in 2010-11: Team Single Season Highest Overall Attendance, 174,418* Highest Average Attendance, 4,360* Least Wins, 38 Lowest Winning Percentage, .531 Least Home Wins, 19 Least Standings Points, 85 Fewest Goals, 216 Most Goals Allowed, 245 Least Power-Play Opportunities, 354 Most Short-handed Goals, 9 Fewest Short-handed Goals Allowed, 6 Lowest Penalty Kill, 80.7% Most shutouts, 5+ Most Wins/Month, 9 (March)+ Individual Single Season Most Games Played, 80 - Brian Connelly*+ Most Overtime Game Winning Goals, 2 - Jeff Taffe* Most Goals/Center, 30 - Jeff Taffe Most Goals/Defense, 11 - Brian Connelly Assists/Defenseman, 41 - Brian Connelly* Points/Defenseman, 52 - Brian Connelly Most Power-Play Assists/Defenseman, 18 - Brian Connelly Most Power-Play Points/Defenseman, 21 - Brian Connelly Most Short-handed/Assists, 2 - Jassen Cullimore+ Penalty Minutes, 245 - Kyle Hagel Lowest +/-, -24 - Kyle Beach Most Major Penalties, 32 - Kyle Hagel* Most Shutouts, 3 - Hannu Toivonen+ Most Power-Play Assists/Goalie, 1 - Hannu Toivonen, Alec Richards+ Most Games/Rookie Goalie, 44 - Alec Richards* Most Minutes/Rookie Goalie, 2,369 - Alec Richards* Most Saves/Rookie Goalie, 1,017 - Alec Richards* Most Wins/Rookie Goalie, 17 - Alec Richards* Most Loses/Rookie Goalie, 18 - Alec Richards* Most Shootout Win/Rookie Goalie, 2 - Alec Richards*+ Most Shootout Losses/Rookie Goalie, 1 - Alec Richards Lowest GAA/Rookie Goalie, 2.89 - Alec Richards* Highest Save Percentage/Rookie Goalie, .899 - Alec Richards* Most Shutouts/Rookie Goalie, 2 - Alec Richards*+ Team Single Game Most Goals, 8 - 12/8/10 vs. TEX 8-5 W+ Most Goals Combined, 13 - 12/8/10 vs. TEX 8-5 W Most Goals/Period, 5 - 12/8/10 vs. TEX 8-5 W+ Most Goals Allowed/Period, 5 - 2/13/11 at MIL 2-5 L+ Most Goals Period/Combined, 7 - 12/8/10 vs. TEX 8-5 W+ Short-Handed Goals For, 2 - 4/9/11 vs. GR  4-2 W+ Most Power Play Goals/Against, 6 - 3/2/11 at HOU 1-8 L* Most Power Play Opp./Against, 12 - 3/2/11 at HOU 1-8 L* Largest Margin of Victory, 6 - 1/18/11 vs. GR 6-0 W+ Largest Margin of Victory/Home, 6 - 1/18/11 vs. GR 6-0 W+ Largest Margin of Victory/Road, 5 - 10/15/10 at ABB 5-0 W+ Largest Margin of Defeat, 7 - 4/1/11 at OKC 0-7 L and 3/2/11 at HOU 1-8 L    Largest Margin of Defeat/Road, 7 - 4/1/11 at OKC 0-7 L and 3/2/11 at HOU 1-8 L    Fewest Penalty Minutes/Opponent, 2 - 3/11/11 at MIL 2-0 W Fewest Combined Penalty Minutes, 6 - 3/11/11 at MIL 2-0 W Most Shots/Period, 23 - 11/20/10 vs. CHI 1-0 W Most Shots Combined/Period, 38 - 4/10/11 at CHI 5-4 OTW*+ Least Shots Against/Period, 1 - 2/13/11 at MIL 2-5 L*+        Individual Single Game Fastest Goal/Start of Period, :11 - Jeff Taffe at HOU 2/27/11, 3-2 W Fastest Goal/Overtime, :53 Peter LeBlanc vs. LE, 12/18/10 2-1 OTW Fastest Goal Allowed/Overtime, :11 Matt Ford at LE 3/4/11, 2-3 OTL Most Saves in Regulation, 43 Hannu Toivonen 3/9/11 at HAM, 2-1 SOW* Most Saves in a Win, 44 Hannu Toivonen 3/26/11 vs MIL 3-2 OTW* 44 and 3/9/11 at HAM, 2-1 SOW* Most Saves in a Game/Rookie, 40 Alec Richards 11/26/10 at GR, 3-2 SOW Most Saves in a Win/Rookie, 40 Alec Richards 11/26/10 at GR, 3-2 SOW Most Saves in a Loss/Rookie, 37 Alec Richards 11/11/10 at SAN, 0-1 L Most Saves in a Shutout/Rookie, 27 Alec Richards 10/15/10 at ABB, 5-0 W Most Saves in a Period/Rookie, 16 Alec Richards 12/27/10 vs CHI 3-2 W Most Shootout Saves/Rookie, 4 Alec Richards 11/26/10 at GR 3-2 SOW and 11/21/10 at PEO 2-3 SOL Most Shots Faced/Rookie, 40 Alec Richards 11/26/10 at GR 3-2 SOW Assists, 3 Brandon Pirri 4/5/11 at SAN, Brian Connelly 2/25/11 at PEO, Jeff Taffe 2/18/11 vs. CHI, Ben Smith 1/8/11 vs. GR and Brian Connelly 10/23/10 vs. CHI Assists/Defenseman, 3 Brian Connelly 2/25/11 at PEO and 10/23/11 vs. CHI*+ Assists/Rookie, 3 Brandon Pirri 4/5/11 at SAN and Ben Smith 1/8/11 vs. GR Career Records Most Games Played, 299 - Evan Brophey* Most Overtime Loses, 3 - Alec Richards*+ Game Winning Goals, 10 - Evan Brophey+ Overtime Game Winning Goals, 2 - Brian Connelly and Jeff Taffe* Short-handed Assists, 2 - Jassen Cullimore+ Defenseman Games, 167 - Brian Connelly Defenseman Points, 90 - Brian Connelly Defenseman Goals, 16 - Brian Connelly Defenseman Assists, 74 - Brian Connelly Goals/Rookie, 19 - Ben Smith Assists/Rookie, 31 - Brandon Pirri Points/Rookie, 43 - Brandon Pirri Penalty Minutes/Rookie, 245 - Kyle Hagel Goals/Rookie Defenseman, 5 - Shawn Lalonde Highest +/-/ Rookie Defenseman, +9 - Ryan Stanton+ Most Games/Coach, 240 - Bill Peters* Most Wins/Career, 122 - Bill Peters Most Losses/Career, 97 - Bill Peters* Lowest Win Percentage/Career, .552 - Bill Peters Most Home Wins/Career, 67 - Bill Peters Most Home Losses/Career, 45 - Bill Peters Lowest Home Win Percentage/Career, .592 - Bill Peters Most Road Wins/Career, 55 - Bill Peters Most Road Losses/Career, 52 - Bill Peters* Lowest Road Win Percentage/Career, .513 - Bill Peters Most Shootout Losses/Career, 11 - Bill Peters Streaks Consecutive Games with a Point, 15 - Jeff Taffe*+ Consecutive Games Played, 83 - Brian Connelly Consecutive Games With a "-", 8 - Rob Klinkhammer*+ Winning Streak/Home, 6 - (3/19/11-present)    All records are IceHogs AHL era records unless indicated +-ties AHL record *-IceHogs franchise record *+-Ties IceHogs franchise record

BLACKHAWKS RECALL BEN SMITH FROM ROCKFORD

By: Adam Rogowin

Photo by Jim Orlando Chicago, Ill.- The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled forward Ben Smith from the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs. Smith, 22, ranks second on the IceHogs with 19 goals, including a team-high two shorthanded markers, and has added 12 assists in 63 AHL tilts this year in his professional debut. The Avon, Connecticut, native has also appeared in three games for the Blackhawks this season. Chicago’s fifth selection (169th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Smith was honored as the Most Outstanding Player of the 2010 Frozen Four while leading Boston College to the 2010 NCAA Championship and serving as an alternate captain in his senior season. He was also named to the All-Tournament team as a sophomore while helping the Eagles to a national title. Next Home Game: Friday, April 8 vs. Lake Erie Monsters: Game starts at 7:05 p.m. Rockford returns home and welcomes the Lake Erie Monsters to the MetroCentre for the final time in 2010-11. The IceHogs will be celebrating Hammy’s birthday with several area mascots as the team opens the final weekend of the 2010-11 season.

THOUSANDS OF PRIZES GIVEN AWAY AT SATURDAY'S FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT

By: Adam Weil

Rockford, Ill.- Hammy’s Birthday Party, Team Photo Night, Fan Appreciation Night and a side walk sale at Oink Outfitters closes out the regular season at the Rockford MetroCentre for the Rockford IceHogs.  The IceHogs take on the Lake Erie Monsters on Friday and Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in the final two home games of 2010-11. On Friday, Hammy’s closest mascot friends will help him celebrate another year with the IceHogs.  Mascots slated to join the Hammy’s Birthday Celebration include Rocko from the Rockford RiverHawks, Snappy from the Beloit Snappers, Grabowski from the Chicago Rush, Coco from the Coco Key Water Resort, Scoopie from Culvers, among other area mascots. Saturday is fan appreciation night and the IceHogs are giving away a prize after every whistle.  Every fan will have the opportunity to win a prize, some of the highlights include:     -Season tickets for the 2011-12 season     -Airline vouchers courtesy of Allegiant Air     -Club box seats for Cirque du Soleil     -3-Month family membership to the YMCA     -Overnight stay at the Radisson     -Hands-free headset compliments of U.S. Cellular     -Team signed memorabilia On both nights, the IceHogs will hold a side walk sale located outside Oink Outfitters on the main concourse.  All merchandise will be heavily discounted between 40-60% off, available during the games only. For more information regarding individual game tickets to any remaining IceHogs home game, call (815) 968-5222, visit icehogs.com or stop by the MetroCentre Box Office open noon-5 p.m. Don’t forget to follow the Hogs on Facebook and Twitter (@goicehogs) for team news, special ticket offers and discounts.

THREE THIRD PERIOD GOALS LIFT ICEHOGS

By: Mike Peck

Photo by Darren Abate Hogs complete road trip 4-1-0-0 San Antonio, Tex.- A five-game road trip came to an end for the Rockford IceHogs on Tuesday and the club continued it’s impressive finish to the 2010-11 season. Down 2-1 entering the third period, the IceHogs tallied three-goals to grab a 4-2 win away from the San Antonio Rampage at the AT&T Center. In the third period the IceHogs tied the game up at 2-2 at 5:55 of the frame. Off a Brandon Pirri face-off win, Kyle Beach snapped off his 15th goal of the season short-side over the shoulder of Matt Climie at 5:55. Rockford would take their first lead of the night at 13:36 of final frame. Peter LeBlanc helped break the puck up the left boards to Mathis Olimb. After gaining the Rampage line Olimb found Ben Smith streaking to the net and the rookie winger buried his 19th goal of the campaign low blocker side on Climie. The game was iced when Beach shot in an empty net tally at 18:46 to make it 4-2. Pirri, helped on the goal, his third assist of the game. After a scoreless first, San Antonio converted in period two to grab a 1-0 lead. Matt Watkins skated over the IceHogs line and sent a shot in on Alec Richards who tried to kick it away. Richards got a piece of it, but not enough as the puck slid underneath him at 8:14. Jeff Taffe later tied the score for Rockford with a snipe job on Climie. Rockford’s leading goal scorer picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and carried it to the left face-off circle and beat Clime with a snap shot over his glove shoulder at 12:58. The Rampage reclaimed the lead at 18:22. Taffe blocked Oliver Elkman-Larson’s initial point slapshot, but Ekman-Larson picked up the rebound and his secondary attempt was tipped over Richards glove shoulder by Watkins for his second of night. The win for Rockford’s pushed their road record to 18-16-2-3, guaranteeing them a winning record away from home on the season. Next Home Game: Friday, April 8 vs. Lake Erie Monsters: Game starts at 7:05 p.m. Rockford returns home and welcomes the Lake Erie Monsters to the MetroCentre for the final time in 2010-11. The IceHogs will be celebrating Hammy’s birthday with several area mascots as the team opens the final weekend of the 2010-11 season.