Back on the Beat With the Rockford IceHogs

We are very excited to be back on the beat with the Rockford IceHogs for the 2016-17 season.  This will be our fourth year of covering the top affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks.  As I always say, the IceHogs of today are the Blackhawks of tomorrow.  Aside from great hockey, it is cool to see the players who will eventually become Blackhawks.

Last seaqson, the IceHogs finished 40-22-10-4 good for 3rd place in the Central Division of the Western Conference of the American Hockey League.  Unfortunately, the Grand Rapids Griffins eliminated the IceHogs from the playoffs in the first round.

The IceHogs are an easy 90 minute drive from my home and it is always worth the drive.  In addition to the hockey game, we usually find excellent food in Rockford.  Old Chicago Pizza, Stone Eagle, Dos Reales and Mary's Market are just a few of our favorite dining spots.  Of course, there are also many good food options at the BMO Harris Bank Center.  They have an excellent pulled chicken sandwich among other tasty treats.

I usually can be found in the pressbox.  After the game, I am part of the media session with the players and Coach Ted Dent.  I used to get more solo interviews, which can be found at On the Beat With the Rockford IceHogs.  Last season, the IceHogs started recording the sessions for IceHogsTV on their site IceHogs.com.  You can usually see me (or a member of the Johngy's Beat crew) chime in with a question after the regular beat reporters ask theirs.

Johngy's Beat will have interviews, stories and pictures of the IceHogs throughout the season.  If you come out to a game, look for me or let me know you're coming.  It's always good to see friends out there.

The IceHogs open their season on October 14 in Cleveland.  Until then, head over to IceHogs.com for more news, including ticket and scheduing information.

Hammy and me in Rockford, IL-October 2015.