The Rockford IceHogs are currently out West and chomping at the bit to drop the puck on their 2023-24 AHL schedule in San Jose this weekend. As the Hogs prepare to visit the Barracuda, let’s take a look at this year’s Rockford squad.
The IceHogs are coached by Anders Sorensen, who returns for his third full season at the helm in Rockford. Assistants Jared Nightengale and Rob Klinkhammer also are back for the IceHogs. Matt Smith is the new face on Sorensen’s staff; Smith will oversee the goalies this season.
The IceHogs have reached the postseason in each of the last two springs. In 2023-24, Rockford will look to last past the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. At the team’s media session on Tuesday, Sorensen admitted to having a slew of young players eager to open the curtain on a new season.
“They’re hockey players. They want to play games.”
Anders Sorensen
The IceHogs Up Front
Garrett Mitchell, Rockford’s captain for the past three seasons, retired this summer. However, there are several veterans who will be on hand to provide leadership to the 2023-24 IceHogs. This includes two of last season’s top scorers, David Gust (26 G, 33 A last season) and Brett Seney (23 G, 31 A). Both players should see plenty of time on Rockford’s top line.
Luke Philp (29 G, 24 A) is going to be a tough player to replace; the IceHogs leading goal-scorer is out with an Achilles tendon injury for the next several months. Anders Bjork, signed to an AHL contract by Rockford in the offseason, has 225 NHL appearances. Bjork will attempt to pick up the slack in terms of veteran scoring until Philp is back in action.
Another veteran who can help the IceHogs on the scoreboard is Joey Anderson, who split time between the AHL and the NHL both with Toronto and Chicago in 2022-23. Anderson was assigned to Rockford by the Blackhawks and provides Sorensen with another top-six option.
Among its many returning players, Rockford also has several returning prospects with something to prove this season. Both Mike Hardman (5 G, 13 A) and Michal Teply (9 G, 16 A) saw their scoring numbers drop despite steady playing time last season. As impending RFAs, Hardman and Teply are eyeing a return to form.
The forward group also includes several intriguing prospects. The fresh faces include Ryder Rolston, who makes the jump from college hockey. Colton Dach and Jalen Luypen are fresh out of juniors. In addition, European rookies Antti Saarela and Marcel Marcel are also looking to crack the IceHogs lineup.
Defense
On the blue line, Issak Phillips (6 G, 17 A) will begin the season in Rockford, along with fellow prospect Filip Roos (3 G, 8 A). They are joined by Louis Crevier (0 G, 5 A) and two 2021 Blackhawks draft picks, Nolan Allen (1st round) and Ethan Del Mastro (4th round).
Rockford secured veteran defenseman Josh Healey to mentor the prospect-laden defensive corps. Healey, 29, enters his seventh professional season. Most of that time has been in the AHL with stops in Stockton, Milwaukee, Chicago, and San Diego.
Goaltending
The IceHogs will begin the season with a goalie tandem of Drew Commesso and Jaxson Stauber. Commesso, a second-round selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, carries high expectations in the Hawks organization after three seasons at Boston University. Stauber split his time between Chicago and Rockford in his rookie season. Commesso and Stauber will likely each see action against the Barracuda this weekend.
“I thought he (Commesso) had a really good camp. I’m not a goalie guy by any means, but I noticed a difference in his presence in net in training camp, in the exhibition games. I think Jaxson (Stauber) looked good as well.”
“That’s what’s going to be the challenge for us with Smitty (Matt Smith) and our staff here to making sure they’re all getting enough games here. Our schedule in October is pretty light; we play five games. They’re all young goaltenders, so we need them playing.”
Anders Sorensen
The IceHogs open season on the road, and on the West coast to boot. Sorensen is looking at this as a positive as his team takes its first step into the long AHL slate.
“I think its a good opportunity to get to know the guys. We’ve got an extra day down there before we play, a little practice time to get acclimated to the environment, but also to each other.”
Anders Sorensen
Friday’s puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. PDT at the SAP Center at San Jose. There will be a quick turnaround with a Saturday start of 2:00 p.m. PDT.
