Mascot Spotlight: Hammy of the Rockford IceHogs

The Rockford IceHogs were founded in 1995 as the Baltimore Bandits. In March of 2007, the American Hockey League announced the team  moved to Rockford and became the IceHogs. The IceHogs are currently the AGHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. I don't have the exact date of Hammy's debut, but I can confirm he goes back to at least 2010.

Hammy's full name is Hamilton E. Hog  Allow me to clarify Hammy's classification as a hog. A pig is a young swine that is not yet mature, but the term has come to be used for all wild or domestic swine. A hog is a swine weighing more than 120 pounds, but this term also is applied generally to all swine.

Hammy is one of the most active mascots. Aside from his appearances at IceHogs games, he is all over Rockford and elsewhere for many events. Hammy is equally comfortable on ice and dry land, although I really appreciate his skating skills. Skating is hard enough, yet he does it with a big, clunky costume.

Go to IceHogs.com for more info on Hammy and the Hogs.  From my several years of covering the IceHogs, I can testify to the entertainment at all games and Hammy is a big part of that fun! Check back here for recurring mascot fun.

Hammy and me in Rockford, IL-March 2017.

Mascot Week: Friendly Encounters: JayHawk Evans and Hammy Hog

Friendly Encounters is a regular series about my friends who have met celebrities.  In continuing our theme, this is a Mascot Week edition of Friendly Encounters.

My great friend JayHawk Evans (aka Jason Fleigel) is celebrating his birthday later this week.  We will celebrate with him then, but I am also featuring him today.

JayHawk has joined me several times in covering the Rockford IceHogs.  At one of those games, he met Hammy Hog, the mascot of the IceHogs.  Knowing JayHawk's passion for bacon, this was particularly interesting to me.  I am happy to report that JayHawk remained professional and there were no incidents.

You will notice the huge smile on his face though.  Aside from his wedding and the birth of his daughter, I have never seen him that giddy.  I guess when he is that near that much potential bacon, he just looks that way.  Thank goodness there was no may around.

To meet Hammy and to get more info on the Rockford IceHogs, check out IceHogs.com.  As a friendly Johngy's Beat tip, Hammy can usually be found pre-game in the north concourse on the second level.  JayHawk can usually be found pre-game getting a pulled pork sandwich (sorry Hammy).

Jason Fleigel and Hammy in Rockford, IL-October 2015.

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.

Mascot Week: Hammy the Hog

The debacle of a final season for the Chicago Rush lead me to Rockford where I landed a gig covering the Rockford IceHogs, the AHL affiliate of the Chicago BlackHawks.  I have totally enjoyed the IceHogs and hope to do even more coverage next season.

Although I never got to interview Hammy the Hog, I have met the porcine one several times.  Hammy is very accessible to the fans.  He can be found in the concourse area before and after the game and he is always eager to pose for pictures.  You might say he is a bit of a camera hog (sorry).

Matt Parker, Hammy the Hog and me in Rockford, IL-March 2014.