The Chicago Blackhawks can tout not only having one of the NHL’s premier teams this season, but also having one of the AHL’s best in the Rockford IceHogs.
The IceHogs are tied for a league-high 37 points and have a 17-6-2-1 record. It’s the IceHogs’ best record through 26 games since they became the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate in 2007 and it’s the most points a Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate has had since the Norfolk Admirals started the 2006-07 season with a 16-5-4-1 record.
Considering the IceHogs were just a few games over .500 at this point last season, IceHogs coach Ted Dent is enjoying his team’s success.
“It’s a little bit of a different feeling, but it’s a good feeling,” Dent said by phone on Thursday. “Our team is coming together nicely. We’ve had a couple good runs. Hopefully, we can continue.”
The IceHogs have been successful for a number of the same reasons the Blackhawks have been. For one, the IceHogs have benefitted from having two capable goaltenders in Scott Darling and Michael Leighton this season. Darling has a .929 save percentage in 11 games, and Leighton has a .921 save percentage in 14 games. The IceHogs had zero shutouts all of last season and already have three this season.
The IceHogs also have plenty of defenseman depth in Blackhawks prospects TJ Brennan, Adam Clendening, Kyle Cumiskey, Stephen Johns, Ville Pokka and Viktor Svedberg. Klas Dahlbeck, who is currently up with the Blackhawks, has also played in 22 games for the IceHogs.
Offensively, the IceHogs have been getting contributions throughout the lineup. Brennan leads the team with 21 points and is followed by Garret Ross (18 points), Teuvo Teravainen (17 points), Mark McNeill (16 points), Phillip Danault (16 points) and Peter Regin (15 points). Eight players have at least five goals and 10 players have at least 10 points.
The IceHogs also haven’t dropped a beat with injuries and call-ups. McNeill has missed 11 games with an injury. Johns has been out six games. Nordstrom, Regin, Danault, Dahlbeck, Clendening and Darling have all been recalled at times this season.
“I think we have a lot more depths than we’ve ever had,” Dent said. “We’ve had guys who can step in the lineup when Nordstrom and Clendening were called up and McNeill and Johns were injured. We had guys step in and do the job.”
Morin approach: Dent said he had a long talk with Jeremy Morin on Wednesday after Morin was assigned to the IceHogs for a conditioning stint.
Dent said he stressed for Morin to relax and get back to playing hockey. Morin had been a healthy scratch in the Blackhawks’ last eight games before being assigned.
“Just be yourself and just have some fun,” said Dent, who began coaching Morin in the 2010-11 season. “Don’t put any added pressure on himself down here to carry the team. Really, it’s just getting that ice time and playing in game situations. You can practice all you want. He can skates all he wants after morning skates. It’s a lot different when you get into a game. He got game under his belt [Wednesday] night and few more this weekend. I’m sure he’ll get better this weekend.
“I just think it’s a comfort for him to know we care. He knows some of those teammates. He knows the staff real well. There’s a comfort level there. He just has to get in game shape, find his legs and get his confidence back.”
McNeill close to return: Dent said McNeill began skating with the IceHogs again on Wednesday. He has been out since suffering a lower-body injury on Nov. 15. He had scored seven goals in the five games before the injury.
Osiecki departure: IceHogs associate coach Mark Osiecki will leave the team be the head coach the of U.S. junior national team after the IceHogs’ road trip this weekend. The World Junior Championship will be held from Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Canada.
“For sure, it’s great anytime you can represent your country,” Dent said. “Mark has been involved in the U.S. program for a long time and has been an assistant coach. This is a chance to be a head coach. It’s a great opportunity for him, and we wish him the best.”
