IceHogs Year in Review: Kyle Hagel

                       Position: Left Wing               Shoots: Left
                       Height: 6'0"                         Birthday: January 21, 1985
                       Weight: 205                        Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario

2010-11 Stats
GP   G   A   PTS   +/-   PIM   PPG   SHG   SOG   S%
77    5   8     13    -11    245      0       0       75     6.7

When it comes to Kyle Hagel, there's no better team guy in the world. He'd do anything to help his team out. Off the ice, he's one of the absolute nicest guys. He's very involved in the community as well. He's a part of Hockey Players for Kids, or HP4K, and he set up a reading program called "Stick to Reading" at Kishwaukee Elementary School in January. He was also named the Hogs' Man of the Year and the team's Unsung Hero during the Hogs' Team Awards on April 9th.

On the ice, the former Princeton Tiger is a fearless competitor. He was used a lot this year as a penalty killer and was very effective. He also finished every check and wasn't afraid to dig in the corners for pucks. He provided the team with a lot of grit.

To say Hagel wasn't afraid to drop the gloves is an understatement. Hagel was the team's penalty minute leader-fifth overall in the AHL- and he was tied for the lead in the AHL with 31 fighting majors with Devin DiDiomete of the Connecticut Whale. During most of his fights, Hagel fought guys that were bigger than him, and he won 99% of his bouts. Some of his most memorable fights were against Adam Huxley of the Chicago Wolves. Both guys would just drop absolute bombs on each other continuously. It also seemed like every time the I-90 rivals met, the fans in either the MetroCentre or the Allstate Arena could count on a Hagel-Huxley go-around.

Unfortunately for the Hogs, Hagel signed a two way contract with the St. Louis Blues on May 9th, so he won't be back next season. Hopefully he'll have a shot to stick with the Blues all year next year because there isn't a more deserving guy to be in the NHL than Hagel. 

Hagel in a game on November 27th against the Peoria Rivermen.

IceHogs Year in Review: Kyle Beach

                Position: Left Wing              Shoots: Right
                Height: 6'3"                        Birthday: January 13, 1990
                Weight: 210                       Hometown: Kelowna, British Columbia

2010-11 Stats
GP   G   A   PTS   +/-   PIM   PPG   SHG   SOG   S%
71     16  20   36     -24    163     6        0      164    9.8

Kyle Beach's first full year pro was a definite learning year for him. Early on in the first couple of months in the season, he would let his temper get the best of him. He dropped the gloves a lot, tried to fill an enforcer role that wasn't really his, and would yap at the officials a lot if something didn't go his way. About halfway though the season though, he calmed down a bit, didn't drop the gloves as much, and complained less. Occasionally though, he still said something to the officials.

His skating also improved over the course of the year. During the second half, Blackhawks skating coach Paul Vincent was down in Rockford for a bit, and Beach spent some time talking with him, so that had to have helped. He still needs to work on that some more, though.

Fans made a lot out of his -24 plus/minus rating, and they have a right to. Especially early on in the season, he didn't look very good defensively. Towards the end of the year, he did make a better effort at playing D, but that part of his game needs to improve. When he was on a line with Jeff Taffe his overall game picked up as well, but that was the case with many guys when they were put on his line.

Beach is probably still a year away from making the Hawks, although he was one of the last cuts at Training Camp this season and his grit was something the big club lacked this year. He needs some more time in Rockford to develop and maintain a complete game before being thrown into the NHL fire full time. But with some improvement and when in need for a gritty, fourth line body, he could easily be a call up next year.

Beach lining up for a draw in a game against the Lake Erie Monsters on November 24th.

Beach fighting Phil McRae of the Peoria Rivermen on November 27th.

IceHogs Year in Review: Philippe Paradis

                      Position: Left Wing              Shoots: Left
                      Height: 6'2"                        Birthday: January 2, 1991
                      Weight: 212                       Hometown: Normandin, Quebec

2010-11 Stats
GP   G   A   PTS   +/-   PIM   PPG   SHG   SOG   S%
 4     1   0     1          -2      2        0       0        6     16.7 

After playing 59 games (23G-30A-53Pts) in the regular season and five games in the playoffs (1G-1A-2Pts) with the Prince Edward Island Rocket of the QMJHL, Philippe Paradis was called up by the IceHogs for the end of the regular season. His first game in a Hogs sweater was on April 5th at San Antonio.

During his four games with the club, Paradis looked pretty good. He showed that he has great speed and that he's not afraid to get his nose dirty and throw his body around a bit.

The Carolina Hurricanes' first round (27th overall) draft pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft scored a big goal, the first of his pro career, on April 9th in the Hogs' 4-2 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins. It was set up by Chris DiDomenico and it turned out to be the game winner. Both Paradis and DiDomenico came over to the Chicago organization from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Kris Versteeg trade on June 30, 2010.

Paradis had signed a three year entry level contract with the Leafs on April 21, 2010 before he was traded, so he should be apart of another young group in Rockford for next season.

Paradis at the Rookie Tournament in Toronto on September 12th. (from chicagoblackhawks.com)

  

IceHogs Year in Review: Brian Connelly

                   Position: Defenseman          Shoots: Left
                   Height: 5'10"                      Birthday: June 10, 1986
                   Weight: 185                       Hometown: Bloomington, Minnesota

2010-11 Stats
GP   G   A   PTS   +/-   PIM   PPG   SHG   SOG   S%
80   11  41   52     +3     39       3       0      176     6.3

Brian Connelly had a very solid season on the blue line for the IceHogs this year. In his second full season pro, he was Rockford's lone All Star representative in Hershey for the AHL's All Star Game, he finished second in team scoring [11G-41A-52PTS], and was the only Hog to play in all 80 regular season games.

Like Shawn Lalonde, Connelly was also used as one of their power play quarterbacks; he was normally on the top power play unit. He was effective in that spot, considering his puck moving abilities.

One of Connelly's biggest goals of the season came on March 26th at home against the Milwaukee Admirals. He scored the game winning goal in overtime with a bullet of a shot from just inside the blue line.

Connelly was also called up on April 14th to be a part of the Blackhawks' Black Aces for the playoffs.

The former Colorado College Tiger's contract is up this summer. The Hawks could offer him another two way contract, but he's like Duncan Keith, Brian Campbell, Nick Leddy, and Chris Campoli in the way he plays. He's a puck moving defenseman and the Hawks have a lot of those already. Chances are that, if he re-signs, he'll be in Rockford for the whole year again, barring any injuries up with the big club. There's no doubt that Rockford would like to have him back on their blue line though.

Connelly during warmups on November 24th.

IceHogs Year in Review: Shawn Lalonde

                       Position: Defenseman          Shoots: Right

                       Height: 6'1"                       Birthday: March 10, 1990

                       Weight: 195                      Hometown: Orleans, Ontario

2010-11 Stats
GP   G   A   PTS   +/-   PIM   PPG   SHG   SOG   S%
73    5   27   32     -16     76      0        0     142    3.5

In his first full pro season, Shawn Lalonde was solid for the IceHogs on the blue line. He was used a lot as a quarterback on the power play and he did a pretty good job. Some of the shots he took were either headhunters or went wide, but his aim will only get better with age and experience.

One of the best aspects of his game is his skating. He's an outstanding skater and it was evident even at the Blackhawks' Prospect and Training camps.

The Hawks' 68th overall pick of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft is more of a finesse, puck moving defenseman, but he can throw the body around on occasion. He also wasn't afraid to drop the gloves, which he did a couple of times. He's not the best fighter, but that's because it's definitely not a huge part of his game.

The Hawks recalled the former Belleville Bull from the Hogs to be part of the Black Aces for the playoffs for the second straight year on April 14th.

Lalonde is still, at the very least, a year away from being a regular on the Hawks' blue line, even though he was one of the last few cuts on the 2010-11 Chicago roster. There's no need to rush him, considering the defensive core group of guys that the Hawks have, and developing some more in Rockford won't hurt in the least bit.

Lalonde lining up for a draw in a game against the Peoria Rivermen on November 9th.

Lalonde tossing the Hogs fans a tee-shirt after being named 3rd Star of the game on Nov. 9th.

IceHogs Year in Review: Evan Brophey

                      Position: Center                  Shoots: Left
                      Height: 6'1"                        Birthday: December 3, 1986
                      Weight: 205                       Hometown: Kitchener, Ontario

2010-11 Stats
GP   G   A   PTS   +/-   PIM   PPG   SHG   SOG   S%
67   10   9    19      0      65       0       1      116    8.6

Centering the second line, Evan Brophey played in pretty much every situation for the IceHogs. He played on the power play, was part of a solid penalty killing tandem with Rob Klinkhammer, and logged solid minutes at even strength. The Blackhawks' 3rd round pick (68th overall) in the 2005 draft was an alternate captain and brought a lot of leadership to the team. Brophey isn't afraid to get his nose dirty and, throughout the course of the season, dished out a lot of solid checks.

His fourth season as a Hog was cut short because he got suspended for a hit to the head of Hamilton's Hunter Bishop on March 25th. The suspension was doled out on March 29th and the punishment was 7 games, which was the rest of the season.

Before the suspension was handed out, Brophey became the Hogs' all time games leader with 299 games played on March 27th against the Chicago Wolves.

Earlier in the year, he made his NHL debut with the Hawks on October 23rd against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He filled in for an injured Tomas Kopecky.

Brophey's contract is up this summer. It's quite plausible that he may be gone if another NHL team gives him an offer. If not, the Hogs would love to have him back for his fifth season with the team.

Brophey taking a draw against the Peoria Rivermen on November 27th.

Brophey taking a draw against the San Antonio Rampage during Pink in the Rink on January 22nd.

IceHogs Year in Review: Joe Lavin

               Position: Defenseman          Shoots: Left
               Height: 6'3"                       Birthday: July 17, 1989
               Weight: 200                      Hometown: Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

2010-11 Stats
GP   G   A   PTS   +/-   PIM   PPG   SHG   SOG   S%
2      0   1      1     +1      4       0        0       3      0.0

On April 9th, Joe Lavin signed an ATO with the IceHogs for the final two games of the season after his Notre Dame team lost in the semifinals of the Frozen Four to the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Lavin, ND's captain, recorded 17 points [6G, 11A] in 44 games in his senior year with the Fighting Irish while he patrolled the blue line with fellow Blackhawks prospect, Stephen Johns, who was in his freshman year with the club.

When he came to Rockford, he played pretty good in his first pro game, despite taking two penalties. In his next game, the final of the season against the Chicago Wolves, he registered his first pro point with an assist on David Gilbert's power play goal.

He's a good skater and he's got good size. He has a bright future ahead of him.

Lavin signed a two year entry level contract on April 11th, so he'll be back with the Hogs for his first full pro season next year.