The Rockford IceHogs have been off to a strong start since the beginning of 2024. Every part of the team has contributed to the outstanding 22-11-3 record following December. There has been no lack of scoring from every line of offense. The back end has been consistent since the departure of Kaiser, to Chicago. Goaltending has been consistent throughout 2024, with Stauber taking over the franchise-record for the longest winning streak by any IceHogs goalie in history of the franchise, at eight straight wins. Commesso has been just as hot, with a .912 SV% in the new year.
Having a 34-24-7 record thus far, Rockford is placed 3rd in the Central Division, trailing Grand Rapids for 2nd by 5 points. Theortically the IceHogs could clinch the 2nd spot, however they will have to win the last 7 games for 14 points, and Grand Rapids (6) games remaining would need to loose every game (12 possible points). While 2nd and 3rd place face-off in the second round of the playoffs no matter what (top three central are excluded from the first round), what's the big deal with 2nd or 3rd? What's at stakes, is home ice advantage. Something the IceHogs would glady appreciate: advantage playing in front of Rockford faithful.
With IceHogs having seven games remaining in the 2023/2024 regular season, the current circumstance Rockford is in, bringing the new years momentum into the playoffs will be crucial for a deep postseason run for the men in red. For the fans that remember last season, it came down to the final day of the regular season for the Hogs to clinch the final spot in the playoffs. It's a whole new story this year as the Hogs clinched with nine games remaining in the year. Although it's a well-rounded IceHogs team, we look into The Most Improved Players Since January.
Brett Seney
Coming from Toronto two seasons ago, it was evident Seney was looking for a top spot to play in. As Rockford's top wing playing along side Guttman and Pitlick, Seney is one of the most consistent players in the 815. Last season, Seney tallied 54 points in 59 games. This season, it was a little different with the slow start to the 2023/2024 contest.
Seney posted 21 points in the first 29 games of the 2023 calandar first half (through December). However the reason he is on this list is his outstanding 35 points in 34 game (since January). Being a point-per-game player, he is exaclty what the team is looking for to opt for a deep postseason run. It's evident at 28, Seney will be fighting for a consistent NHL roster spot within the next few years. Having signed a 1 year deal last March (for the 23-24 season), it will be an interesting to see what the Blackhawks organization does in terms of Seney for the following year. If he stays around, do his numbers justify a bottom 6 role with Chicago?
To look in depth on how Seney's points have contributed to the IceHogs success, two main areas stick out. Out of his 21 goals so far, more than half (11) have been on the power play. This has been crutial for the IceHogs special teams success this year which is tied for the leagues 6th best PP%. Furthermore, the second key is his shot percentage, which is the highest it's ever been at 17.2%. For reference, the highest NHL shooting % amount all active players is 18.37%, by Brayden Point. In short, almost 1 in 5 shots Seney takes, ends up in the back of the net.
Cole Guttman
The 25 year old California native, who fittingly acquired the nickname "Goal Guttman", is second on our list. Guttman is the top center on the IceHogs the past two seasons, since coming from University of Denver. We saw a promising stint with theBlackhawks out of Guttman last season, with 4 G, 2 A, 6 PTS, in 14 GP during the 2022-2023 campaign. Much like Seney, Guttman's contract is up at the end of the season. Due to his play, it's evident an extension will be worked out for the coming years.
What makes Guttman so special is his noticeably fast skating used in full on tight turns. This leads him to the ideal passing option from the corner out to the slot, the middle of the ice slowing the defender down in his tracks on the initial turn. Starting the year in Chicago (4 G, 4 A, 8 PTS, 27 GP), it's evident Guttman's days in the stateline are limited. Cole is on the list for the fact that he has 31 PTS in 27 GP since the new year.
Starting his AHL year with 9 PTS in 12 GP before heading up to Chicago for his November-January stint, Guttman saw more time in Chicago than Rockford to start the season. However coming back to the stateline mid-January earned him the March AHL Player of the Month with 22 PTS in 12 GP. His time with the Blackhawks has showed how well he can play at both levels in the NHL and American League. With Guttman picking up the pace since January (31 PTS), he ranks second on our list.
Jaxson Stauber
Stauber, the 2nd year rookie has dramatically improved his numbers since the new year. Playing for Chicago in two stints last season posting a 5-1 record, .911 SV%, and a 2.81 GAA in 6 GP, many thought he could've earned the #2 job to Mrazek to start this season. That was not the case, as him and Commesso have been the two in Rockford for the good majority of the 2023-2024 stretch.
Many may remember from December 31st to Febuary 2nd Stauber had either been backup, or a healthy scratch. With Weeks and Commesso in the rotation, a mysterious yet internal situation turned out to be Stauber working with the IceHogs goaltending coach on simple, yet key changes to the rookies game. Through December, Stauber had a 889 SV% in 12 GP. After the new year, Stauber has had a 916 SV%.
Considering all things, Stauber's stats have drastically improved since not only last calandar year, but the 2022-2023 campaign where he had a .894 in 14 GP. Now at a .900 SV%, along with his GAA below 3.00 (2.90), the most impressive stat is that Stauber has not lost since January 26th (~2 1/2 months) and as of now, is on a 12 game winning streak. Along with the memorable goalie goal, this stat earned Jaxson 3rd on the most improved IceHogs Players since January.
While we wanted to keep it to the top 3 players, you cannot go without mentioning forward Rem Pitlick. With an outstanding 11 G, 16 A, 27 PTS, in just 22 GP since his transfer down to Rockford after going pointless with the Hawks in 9 total games. The 27 year old was acquired in a trade on January 6th from the Penguins organization.
Will our top three players continue these runs in the playoffs? With just six games left, and the addition of Ludwinski and Lardis, a big testiment to how the playoffs will at least start is the momentum building off of the final week of the regular season.
For Icehogs Network, I'm Anthony Pellegrino Lead Writer and Owner of Icehogs Network
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