Final Icehogs Statistics for 2021 Season 12-19-1-0, 6Th Central Division
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
1 2021 IceHogs Season in Review IceHogs See Growth and Progress in 2021 Season IceHogs Produce Top Talent for Chicago After a prolonged offseason due to the COVID-19 pan- Blackhawks in 2021 Season demic, the Rockford IceHogs celebrated their 22nd sea- The 2021 season saw seven IceHogs graduate to the son of professional hockey in the Stateline and 14th in NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, increasing their fran- the American Hockey League and as the top affiliate of chise number to 130 skaters to reach the NHL over their the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League 22-year history and 99 to join the Blackhawks. Players at the start of February with one of the youngest teams that made their NHL debut/return to the NHL this season in their history. are: Featuring 18 rookies out of 29 players on their Opening Philipp Kurashev NHL Debut on 1/15/21 with CHI Night roster (20 rookies over 41 total players this sea- Kevin Lankinen NHL Debut on 1/19/21 with CHI son) and with Head Coach Derek King and Assistant Reese Johnson NHL Debut on 1/31/21 with CHI Coach Anders Sorensen back behind the IceHogs bench Wyatt Kalynuk NHL Debut on 3/7/21 with CHI for their third season, the club navigated through an MacKenzie Entwistle NHL Debut on 3/23/21 with CHI 0-5-1 start to the campaign to rebound with a 12-14-0-0 Ian Mitchell Return to NHL 4/15/21 with CHI run from late February through mid-May to finish with a Alec Regula NHL Debut on 5/6/21 with CHI 12-19-1-0 record in a truncated 32-game season with 16 games decided by a single goal. Young Guns Carry IceHogs in 2021 The 2021 season featured 20 rookies out of 41 players The IceHogs earned their first victory of the season on to make an appearance in a game for the IceHogs and Feb. 23 vs. Cleveland (4-3 W) and found a groove with they combined for 45 goals and 75 assists for 120 points this young team heading into March, picking up five wins out of the team’s overall total of 89 goals and 145 assists over seven contests from March 6-22 including back- for 232 points. Forward Evan Barratt led all IceHogs to-back thrilling 2-1 overtime wins at Grand Rapids on rookies with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) and March 13 and 16 and their biggest win of the year on rookie Chris Wilkie tied the team lead with eight goals. March 22, a 6-1 drubbing of the Iowa Wild. Many “Firsts” Highlight IceHogs Season Team chemistry continued to blossom rolling through Over the course of the 2021 season, 15 IceHogs rookies April and May as the IceHogs claimed five wins over made their professional or North American debuts and eight contests from April 7-May 3. IceHogs all-time lead- 12 would grab their first professional/North American ing scorer Brandon Pirri returned to the organization for goal or point in their first two games including eight find- the first time since 2014 and began his second stint with ing the score sheet in their opening contest. Those eight the club with a season-high, five-game point streak fea- players include: turing a hat-trick performance vs. Chicago on April 7. Evan Barratt Assist on 2/6/21 vs. CHI Off the ice, April 7 served as a monumental day in Ice- Wyatt Kalynuk Goal and assist on 2/6/21 vs. CHI Hogs history as the Chicago Blackhawks, the City of Chad Yetman Goal on 2/6/21 vs. CHI Rockford, the Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Matej Chalupa Goal on 2/6/21 vs. CHI Authority (RAVE) and the Illinois Department of Com- Andrei Altybarmakian Assist on 2/6/21 vs. CHI merce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced Chris Wilkie Goal on 2/9/21 at CHI a $23 million multi-year capital project to revitalize the Mitch Fossier Assist on 2/13/21 at IA BMO Harris Bank Center and laid the groundwork for Josiah Slavin Goal on 3/28/21 vs. CHI the acquisition of the IceHogs by the Blackhawks. The investment secures the IceHogs’ long-term presence in Keep the Puck: 11 IceHogs Score First Goals in 2021 the Stateline community through 2036. and Morris Grabs First Pro Win With the IceHogs roster featuring 20 rookies during the As the calendar switched to May, the IceHogs celebrated 2021 season, 11 would record their first professional/ a major community milestone, welcoming back a limited North American goals including Chris Wilkie, Evan Bar- number of season ticket holders inside BMO Harris Bank ratt, Andrei Altybarmakian, Mitchell Fossier, Matej Cha- Center for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic lupa, Josiah Slavin, Alec Regula, Wyatt Kalynuk, Isaak caused the premature end of the 2019-20 season. On Philips, Chad Yetman and Cole Moberg. May 1 and for the first time in 422 days (Last home game was March 6, 2020), fans cheered the IceHogs In his first professional start, goaltender Cale Morris to a 3-2 victory vs. Grand Rapids. The IceHogs would made 35 saves against Cleveland on Feb. 23 in a 3-2 also open the BMO Harris Bank Center doors for season victory for this first professional win. ticket holders for the final two home games of the sea- son and wrapped up the season with a 3-4-0 month. IceHogs Battle in Close Games: Of the IceHogs’ 32 games this season, 16 were decided IceHogs Trainers and Medical Staff Provide Safe by a single tally, with the IceHogs holding a 9-6-1-0 Haven for IceHogs in 2021 record in one-goal games. If you remove the four emp- Thanks to the tireless efforts of IceHogs Athletic Trainer ty-net tallies the IceHogs surrendered during the 2021 D.J. Jones and Assistant Athletic Trainer John Walter season, 20 of the 32 contests were decided by one goal. along with the team’s medical staff, equipment staff and local partnerships, the IceHogs were the only team in the Central Division to not have a practice or game postponed or rescheduled due to COVID-19 protocols affecting the club. 2 2021 IceHogs Season in Review IceHogs Honor Frontline Heroes with Custom McLaughlin Leads IceHogs Scoring and Takes Home Jerseys and Personal Messages in March Most Improved Player Award During pregame warmups on Sunday, Mar. 21 and Forward Dylan McLaughlin led the IceHogs with 22 Sunday, Mar. 22 vs. Iowa, each IceHogs player wore points and 14 assists during the 2021 season and tied the name of a healthcare hero or frontline worker in the with rookie Chris Wilkie for the team lead with eight goals Rockford community on their jersey nameplate. Each over 28 games. The Lancaster, New York, native began frontline hero was selected by their coworkers, peers the season with two assists in the first two games and or department for their outstanding service and dedica- skated an impressive run from Mar. 13-May 1 with seven tion to the Rockford community during the pandemic. goals and nine assists for 16 points over 14 games. Local heroes from the Rockford Fire Department, Police Department, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, Metro Isaak Phillips Provides Glimpse Into Blackhawks Medical Services, Mercyhealth, SwedishAmerican and Future with Rookie of the Year Season OSF were represented. In 27 games with the IceHogs this season, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound, defenseman registered two goals and seven IceHogs Generate Over $11,000 for The Autism assists for nine points and placed fourth among team Program of Easterseals During Autism Awareness rookie defensemen and 10th overall with an average ice Month time of 19:22 per game. Quickly earning high praise from Throughout the month of April, the IceHogs honored Au- coaches and teammates alike, the Blackhawks awarded tism Awareness Month presented by Lawncare By Wal- Phillips with this first NHL contract on Mar. 31. ter, Inc. To pay tribute, the IceHogs showcased special puzzle-piece logos on the ice at BMO Harris Bank Center Busdeker Impresses in Rookie Season; Earns Un- for the remainder of the 2021 season and generated over sung Hero Award $11,000 for The Autism Program of Easterseals through Forward D.J. Busdeker finished third among IceHogs special raffles and auctions on the team’s website and on rookies and fifth in team scoring this season with five the mobile app. goals and seven assists for 12 points in 24 games. After starting the season with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL, the IceHogs and Meijer Donate $700 to Rock House Kids Dexter, Michigan, native joined the IceHogs for training Through Meijer First Goal Frenzy camp and quickly picked up his first AHL point (assist) During the 2021 season, the Rockford IceHogs partnered in his AHL debut (Feb. 6) and first AHL goal (Feb. 9 at with Meijer for the Meijer First Goal Frenzy supporting Chicago) in his second contest. One of his best overall Rock House Kids. When the IceHogs scored the first performances was on Apr. 17 vs. Chicago with two as- goal of each game, Meijer donated $50 to Rock House sists, a team-high and personal season-high seven shots Kids, a 501(c)(3) foundation helping feed Rockford’s on goal and a +2 rating. inner-city youth in a safe nurturing environment. The IceHogs scored the games opening goal 14 times last Dmitri Osipov Checks Way to Heavy Hitter Award season (7-6-1-0) generating $700.