The Chicago Blackhawks are hoping for a big year for the IceHogs in Rockford. There is a ton of talent there, and more will come when they get a bit healthier.
Sometimes, it’s nice to see these teams also honor the past while working on the present and future. It sounds like the IceHogs will do that by having a ceremony for alumni Bryan Bickell.
Of course, Bickell was a stud for the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup dynasty. He scored clutch goal after clutch goal as a true playoff hero. Bickell was a good player in the regular season who became a great player in the playoffs.
When people think of the Hawks from 2008-2015, they will think of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Corey Crawford as the main guys but Bickell played a pivotal role in all of their success.
Before and after his stint in the NHL, he was a prominent player for the IceHogs in the AHL. He played in 227 games for Rockford while scoring 56 goals and having 59 assists for 115 points.
The ceremony that Rockford will put on for Bickell will be adding him to their Ring of Honor on Saturday, Feb. 15th, 2025. This is going to be a great moment for Bickell and his family. After everything he’s been through as a player both on and off the ice, he deserves it.
Bickell retired from hockey earlier than expected as he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during the 2016-17 season while playing in the Carolina Hurricanes organization.
He was someone that made people smile because of his impact on the ice but he was also an incredible human who did a lot for the community off the ice.
Being a part of Rockford’s Ring of Honor makes perfect sense for Bickell as he was a perfect representative of what it means to be a pro hockey player. Both the Rockford IceHogs and Chicago Blackhawks were lucky to have him.
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