By Jack Masters @Hogthought on X IceInsider.com IceHogs Analyst
Last week, the Icehogs released the promo schedule and I noticed it was missing a jersey retirement night. Little dissapointed, but all is well. But that got me thinking, who's next on that list to have their number high up in the BMO's Big Orange Box? I can't think of a better way to kill time before the Bears come on SNF than to dive into a little Icehogs-pervert-blast-from-the-past article than this.... Side note, for everyone wondering "what's with the random Icehogs photo selection for this post?" Find me a more Icehogs-esque photo than P.C. Labrie, Ryan Hartman, Viktor "Big-Bird" Svedberg and Mark McNeill..... I'll wait...
First let's start with rattling off some names that come to mind. I'll list them, come to my own conclusion and then some of you fellow IceHog/Blackhawk degenerates can throw your thoughts in on X (twitter @hogthought).
Brandon Pirri - I mean, does it get more obvious we start here? He's the IceHogs all-time leading scorer (AHL and UHL). Spent 5 seasons in Rockford throughout two stints. (Three if you count his 3 game PTO in 21-22 where he casually came out of a mini-retirement and put up 4 points in 3 games, easy.) In terms of his Blackhawks success, it was limited. His best showing in the Indian-head sweater came in 2013-2014 with 11 points in 28 games. So for the Hawks fans reading this and screaming "He's a bust!" Relax, and go look at his Icehogs numbers, he's a monster at the AHL level.
Nathan Lutz - A UHL-monster and Colonial-Cup winner in 2007, he's a name long-time IceHog's fans know all too well. (Some people wanted him last year over Crawford. No comment from me..) Four seasons in Rockford and wearing the "C" in 06-07, he posted 109 points in 194 games, as well 24 points in 30 UHL Playoff games. As a defenseman. Let that sink in. He was also a +17 in the 2007 Playoffs, ridiculous. When he was on the ice, Rockford won. End of story. Sidenote, find me a more electric minor league hockey atmosphere than this in the 2007 Cup Finals:
3. Jake Dowell - This is where it starts getting tricky. Pirri and Lutz are really the only other guys besides Crawford that you can say, "That guy put up ridiculous numbers" so you've gotta shift into more of a "That guy was a fan-favorite and meant alot to the team". Which Im not sure equates to having a number retired, but what do I know. Jake Dowell embodies that sentiment though. Five seasons in Rockford across two-stints, Dowell carved out a solid pro-career as a textbook leader. He wore the C for Rockford in 2009-2010 and 2016-2017, as well as the A for the Hogs in 2015-2016. He wasnt solely leadership though, 110 points across 5 seasons for Rockford, he was an extremely reliable two-way gritty center. He also made an appearance at Crawford's jersey retirement last season, just goes to show what his teammates thought of him.
Wild Card - With those being the big three in my mind, I figured i'd think outside the box with one.
Jeremy Morin- 180 points across six seasons in Rockford, he seemed to always be overshadowed by guys like Brandon Pirri, Martin St. Pierre, Mark McNeill and Vinnie Hinostroza. But theres an argument to be made here, albiet a small one. He was electric, quick hands, speed and skill. He was always ol' reliable for those Icehogs teams. A point-per-game player in 2013-2014, he and Brandon Pirri were must watch tv when they played together.
In terms of my choice, I’m going with Nathan Lutz. He was just so dominant. Yes, it was at a lower level, but he did some big time things for the Icehogs including bringing home a Colonial Cup. I’m sure there are names I overlooked, so feel free to comment how dumb I am, not denying it. But when I think of big-name Icehogs who could be next on that list, this is it for me. Leave your thoughts below as well as who you think should have their number retired next or find me on X (twitter) @hogthought . Meanwhile, Im off to fire up the blackstone for Sunday Night Football. Let's hope Caleb Williams plays well and hockey season get's here soon.
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