Recapping the latest Rockford IceHogs signings

Last season was not a good year for the Rockford IceHogs. They dealt with many injuries, including a season-ending left knee injury to Paul Ludwinski after only three games, and multiple injuries to assistant captain Cavan Fitzgerald, leaving holes throughout the lineup. Many prospects graduated to the Chicago Blackhawks, including Nick Lardis and Oliver Moore, who contributed in a major way in the NHL last season.

Often, they had barely any NHL-contracted players on the roster, which handicapped them majorly. Finishing with a 28-39-5 record, they missed the playoffs after four straight appearances. It was not a good first season as head coach for Jared Nightingale. But they’ve already turned the page to next season, with AJ Spellacy and Marek Vanacker coming over from juniors and Jiri Felcman playing a full year. They’ve also signed some others who could help both Rockford and the Indy Fuel.

Some Forward Help is on the way for the IceHogs and the Fuel

Last year, the IceHogs finished the season with 196 goals, their lowest full-season output since they had 184 goals in the 2018-19 season. The Indy Fuel barely made it into the playoffs last season, with one point separating them from the fifth-place Kalamazoo Wings. They ended up losing in the semifinals for the fourth straight season. Obviously, the disappointing results have led to turnover.

Marcus Joughin signed an AHL contract after spending the last few weeks of last season with the Fuel. He had two goals and six points in 11 regular-season games, as well as four assists in five playoff games. The IceHogs obviously see something in him to offer him an AHL deal after a short stint in Indy. They also have Felcman, Spellacy, and Vanacker as additions on the forward side. Felcman is the only one with IceHogs experience, with two assists in seven games played last season.

New Defensemen Will Help Both Teams in a Big Way

So far, the IceHogs have signed three new defensemen to AHL deals. The most noticeable one so far is Ashton Cumby. He was picked by the Blackhawks as the 162nd overall pick in the sixth round of last year’s draft. He’s someone who isn’t afraid to stick up for his teammates, with 92 penalty minutes in 59 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL. With Andrew Perrott on an expiring contract, he’ll be a good replacement.

Brayden Hislop got an AHL contract after spending the last few weeks of the season on a professional tryout contract (PTO). He had four assists in 13 games, and like Joughin, the IceHogs liked the small sample size they saw. The newest defenseman is Lachlan Getz, who signed last week. He played one game on an amateur tryout contract (ATO) with the Springfield Thunderbirds last year. He’ll more than likely be with the Fuel, but adding a young defenseman is never a bad idea.

Rockford Gets Goaltending Depth in Latest Signing

Blackhawks fans will probably remember June 23, 2026, as the day of the Bowen Byram trade. But the organization made another move that day. The IceHogs signed goaltender Thomas Gale, who played with the Worcester Railers last season. He had a 5-6-0 record with a .909 save percentage, good for third out of the Railers’ five goalies used last season. 

Goaltending depth was an issue last season for the IceHogs. They used seven different goalies last season, with Owen Flores and Mitchell Weeks both getting action with Rockford. Having depth is a great thing, especially in the minors. If one or both AHL goalies are out due to call-ups and/or injuries, the ECHL goalie will probably have an extended stay in the AHL. Any time a young goalie can be signed for minor-league depth is a good thing, as injury issues can drastically change a goalie tandem in a huge way. 

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