Who were some standouts on the Rockford IceHogs in October?

The Rockford IceHogs ended the 2025-26 season with a 28-39-5 record and 61 points, leaving them seventh in the AHL Central division and outside of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Heading into the offseason, several Blackhawks prospects moved to the AHL, and the team signed two experienced defensemen in Dylan Anhorn and Connor Mackey. It looked like they were ready to get back in the playoff picture.

Unfortunately, October 2026 has been more of the same. Last month, they went 3-6 with eight points in nine games, with only 18 goals scored in those games. That is definitely a terrible start, and not ideal after what happened last season. Their 18 goals during October put them as the lowest scoring team in the AHL, with the Utica Comets scoring 19 for second-worst, despite Utica only playing nine games.

Despite that, there are some players that were bright spots during the first month of the AHL season. 

Gavin Hayes looks ready for a call-up 

Gavin Hayes was drafted as the 66th pick in the third round of the 2022 NHL Draft. He began his professional career during the 2024-25 season. In 50 games, he had five goals and 10 assists for 15 points and a –2 plus/minus, while adding two assists in seven playoff games. Last season in 57 games played, he had 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points and a –13 plus/minus.

That was a good improvement from the season before, especially since he had nine points in his last 15 games. There was reason to be optimistic he might improve this season, but no one expected what he’s done so far. In October, He had six goals and four assists for 10 points in 10 games and is a plus-3.

He led the IceHogs in goals and had a four-game goal streak to end the month, which was extremely impressive. With this being his last year on his entry-level contract, he’s definitely making it count, and a call-up probably isn’t too far away for him. 

Jiri Felcman is impressing in his first year as a pro 

Jiri Felcman joined the IceHogs last season at the conclusion of his NL season with the Langnau Tigers, where he put up three goals and 17 assists for 20 points in 52 games with a –4 plus/minus. As the 93rd pick in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft, expectations were high that he was going to make an impact.

In seven games last season, he only had two assists, and is a plus-2. It was expected that this season would be an improvement, as he would be more acclimated to the North American style of ice hockey. Like Hayes, he has also been great to start the season. He maintained a point-per-game during October, with two goals and seven assists for nine points in nine games, with a plus-2 rating.

Being held pointless for only three games this early on in his professional career is a good sign. He’s also on the same line as Hayes and Nick Lardis, with their production making it clear that they’re working well together. 

Brett Seney continues to lead by example 

Brett Seney signed with the Blackhawks ahead of the 2022-23 season and has been a huge help for the IceHogs ever since. His first two seasons with the team saw him get two consecutive 23 goal seasons, and he was rewarded afterwards. Prior to the 2024-25 season, he was named the captain of the IceHogs. He was then re-signed to a two-year AHL deal, with this year being the last year of the deal.

In nine games throughout October, he had two goals and four assists for six games. Even though this didn’t happen last month, its still worth mentioning that with a one goal and two assist performance on the November 1, 2026 game against the Texas Stars, he became the IceHogs’ leading point producer with 216 points in 261 games, passing Brandon Pirri and his 214 points in 275 games.

He has been a great help during the past five seasons, and he has earned every achievement he’s gotten since he came to Rockford. 

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