IceHogs Year in Review: Peter LeBlanc

                      Position: Center                   Shoots: Left
                      Height: 5'10"                       Birthday: February 3, 1988
                      Weight: 175                        Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario

2010-11 Stats
GP   G   A   PTS   +/-   PIM   PPG   SHG   SOG   S%
57   12  18   30     -8      12      3       0      107    11.2

Peter LeBlanc spent the beginning of the 2010-11 season with the Toledo Walleye. He played in 22 games, registering 22 points (8G, 14A) and an even +/- rating. He was recalled by the IceHogs on December 6th and was up for the rest of the year. He made an impact with the club right away. He scored some timely goals and worked his way up to centering the third line. He tallied his first AHL goal on December 8th against the Texas Stars. On December 18th in a home game against Lake Erie, LeBlanc scored the game winning goal 53 seconds into overtime, which ended up being the fastest overtime goal scored by the Hogs this season. 

LeBlanc was also used a lot on the second power play unit and on the penalty kill. He was very effective in both roles. Despite not being the biggest guy in the world, he would always be in the corners, working hard for pucks, and using his speed to help set up plays. He was pretty reliable in every situation. He also ended up being tied for the team lead in game winning goals with four.

LeBlanc had signed an AHL contract on July 21, 2010, and it expires this summer. It would be good for the Hogs to re-sign him, considering how much he helped the team this year.

LeBlanc in a game against the Manitoba Moose. (rrstar.com)

IceHogs Year in Review: Brandon Pirri

                     Position: Center                   Shoots: Left
                     Height: 6'0"                         Birthday: April 10, 1991
                     Weight: 180                        Hometown: Toronto, Ontario

2010-11 Stats
GP   G   A   PTS   +/-   PIM   PPG   SHG   SOG   S%
70   12  31   43      -6     50      2       0      128    9.4

After leaving RPI to turn pro, Brandon Pirri had a pretty good training camp with the Blackhawks. He was ultimately sent down to Rockford after a couple of preseason games. He made his NHL debut on October 9th, which was the Hawks' home opener and the 2010 Stanley Cup banner raising ceremony. The Hawks had called him back up due to an upper body injury to Patrick Sharp. He was sent back the next day.  

He had a decent start to his season. He started off with 6 points in 8 games and then his production slowed down some. At some points, it looked like he was still getting used to playing against bigger and stronger guys than he played against in college. Pirri was invited to Team Canada's World Junior tryouts, but he ended up being cut on December 15th. He came back to Rockford and his play started to pick up a bit. He missed five games at the end of February into the beginning of March with an injury.

When he came back from that though, his play improved a lot. Pirri had been used as the second line center for most of the year, but then he got a chance towards the end of the year to center the first line with Jeff Taffe on his wing. He was used as the center on the top power play unit, too. With the increased ice time, his point production increased and he came up big for the IceHogs down the stretch. He even led all Hogs rookies with 43 points.

The Hawks recalled him on April 14th to be a part of the Black Aces for the playoffs as well. According to IceHogs Insider, the Hogs' official gameday publication, Pirri is going to work with Gary Roberts this summer. That will definitely help him put on some size and muscle, which is something that he needs.

 

Pirri will more than likely be back in Rockford next season. He'll definitely be an option for the Hawks to call up when in need for a center, especially as he develops more.

Pirri lining up for a draw on November 27th against the Peoria Rivermen.

Pirri taking a draw in the same game.

IceHogs Year in Review: Igor Makarov

                    Position: Right Wing              Shoots: Left
                    Height: 6'1"                         Birthday: September 19, 1987
                    Weight: 200                        Hometown: Moscow, Russia

2010-11 Stats
GP   G   A   PTS   +/-   PIM   PPG   SHG   SOG   S%
68   11  13   24      -8     49      2       1      130    8.5

2010-11 was a transition year for Igor Makarov. It was his first year playing in North America since he was drafted by the Blackhawks 33rd overall in 2006. He had been playing in the KHL for the last three years.

Makarov started out the year on a good note. He was impressive during training camp and, after being sent down to Rockford, had a pretty good October. One of his biggest moments came on October 23rd when he scored the game winning goal in overtime against the Chicago Wolves.

 

As the year wore on, Makarov kind of trailed off and just had an average season. He was obviously still getting fully adjusted to the North American game. He has a great physical aspect to his game, though. He battles hard every shift and can throw some pretty big hits. He was also used on the penalty kill sometimes and he cashed in for a shorthanded, wraparound goal on January 7th against the Toronto Marlies. His season was cut a week or two short, though, as he was out with an injury.

Makarov had signed a two year entry level contract on August 3, 2010, so he should be back in Rockford next season. 

Makarov celebrating his game winner in overtime on October 23rd.

Makarov being named 1st star on October 23rd.

IceHogs Year in Review: Chris DiDomenico

                     Position: Center                    Shoots: Right
                     Height: 6'1"                          Birthday: February 20, 1989
                     Weight: 180                         Hometown: Woodbridge, Ontario

2010-11 Stats
GP   G   A   PTS   +/-   PIM   PPG   SHG   SOG   S%
25     0   4     4      -10     6      0        0      22     0.0

Like Zack Torquato, Chris DiDomenico a good part of the 2010-11 season in Toledo with the Walleye. In 37 games, he tallied 25 points (9G, 16A) and a +/- rating of -8.

DiDomenico started the year with the IceHogs and was one of the last cuts from the Hawks roster at training camp. He started off kind of slow in Rockford, though. On January 6th, he was sent down to Toledo. He was called back up on March 27th for the end of the year. When he was in the lineup, his play definitely picked up. He showed off his speed and playmaking abilities by setting up Philippe Paradis' first AHL goal on April 9th and setting up a goal by David Gilbert on April 10th.

 

The Hawks originally acquired him on June 30th, 2010 in the Kris Versteeg trade with Toronto. He had signed a three year entry level contract with the Leafs on March 14, 2009, so it looks like he'll be in Rockford next season.

DiDomenico when he was in the QMJHL with Saint John. (thehockeynews.com)

IceHogs Year in Review: Zack Torquato

                 Position: Center                   Shoots: Right
                 Height: 6'0"                         Birthday: June 8, 1989
                 Weight: 195                        Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

2010-11 Stats
GP   G   A   PTS   +/-   PIM   PPG   SHG   SOG   S%
12    0   0     0      -4      4       0       0       15     0.0

Zack Torquato spent most of the 2010-11 season with the Toledo Walleye, the IceHogs' ECHL affiliate. There he racked up 44 points (11G, 33A) in 54 games while having a +3 +/- rating.

He was recalled by the Hogs on February 26th and again on March 17th, a day after being sent back down, because of injuries to some forwards. He didn't get big minutes, but they were serviceable ones. The former Erie Otter has good speed, too. As more players got healthy and guys came up from juniors and college, Torquato got bumped out of the lineup and was a scratch.

Torquato's contract is up this summer. The Hogs could re-sign him, but there would be a chance he'll be in Toledo again with the depth of centers the Hogs are projected to have. If that's the case, he'd always be a good choice for a callup. But, it would be nice to see what he could do with more ice time with the Hogs. He has good potential to be a pretty good disher and centerman with the club. 

Torquato in an interview from the Walleye's Youtube Account.

IceHogs Year in Review: Jeff Taffe

                      Position: Center                   Shoots: Left
                      Height: 6'3"                         Birthday: February 19, 1981
                      Weight: 210                        Hometown: Hastings, Minnesota

2010-11 Stats
GP   G   A   PTS   +/-   PIM   PPG   SHG   SOG   S%
74   30  37   67     +10    22     11       1     217    13.8

If you're looking for the IceHogs' most valuable player, look no farther than Jeff Taffe. In fact, he was named the team's MVP on April 9th at the final home game of the season.

Taffe did everything for the Hogs this season. He was on the top power play unit, killed penalties, and centered the top line after Ryan Potulny was traded on February 28th. Taffe scored many clutch goals and set up a lot of them as well. He paced the Hogs in scoring with 67 points, was the only one to hit the 30 goal mark, and was second on the team in +/- ratings with a +10. He was only behind Rob Klinkhammer's +14 rating.

Taffe's 30th goal of the year came at a perfect time for the Hogs. He scored the game winner in overtime in the last game of the season against the Chicago Wolves at Allstate Arena. It was such a fitting ending to the year, considering how he was the go-to-guy all season long.

In addition to all of his on ice contributions, Taffe provided veteran presence and leadership to a young team. He also made the players around him better. The top line used to have him and Potulny on it, before the trade, and whoever was on the opposite wing had their play pick up. When Taffe was back at center with Potulny gone, both of the wingers on that line saw their play improve. Klinkhammer and Kyle Beach were just two of the guy who benefited. Brandon Pirri also did for awhile when Taffe moved onto his wing.

Taffe was recalled once during the regular season by the Hawks. He played on February 12th against the Phoenix Coyotes. The Hawks did call him up to be a part of the Black Aces for the playoffs on April 11th.

Taffe's contract is up this summer. It would be a good thing for the Hawks to re-sign him to a two-way contract for a veteran callup to have on hand and for veteran leadership in Rockford for what looks to be another young group of guys next season. 

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

IceHogs Year in Review: Ben Smith

                    Position: Right Wing/Center     Shoots: Right
                    Height: 5'11"                         Birthday: July 11, 1988
                    Weight: 200                          Hometown: Avon, Connecticut

2010-11 Stats
GP   G   A   PTS   +/-   PIM   PPG   SHG   SOG   S%
63   19  12   31      -3     16      5       2      112   17.0

Ben Smith was one of the pleasant surprises on the IceHogs and the Blackhawks this year. He was one of the most consistent players for both clubs.

He spent most of the year with the Hogs, where he was able to grow as a player. The former Boston College Eagle's work ethic is second to none. He gives 100% on the ice and it's quite noticeable. Smith doesn't shy away from physical play and can always be found digging for pucks in the corner. His on ice positioning in all three zones is also great.

 

The rookie was a very versatile player for the Hogs. Throughout the year, he was used at both wing and center. He was one of their top penalty killers, who led the team in shorthanded goals with two, and was also used on the power play. He's also a great character guy in the dressing room and just an overall nice guy. Smith was named the Hogs' Rookie of the Year on April 9th at the last home game of the season.

Smith made his NHL debut on October 29th against the Edmonton Oilers. He was recalled later on in the year by the Hawks on April 6th and was up to stay. He scored his first NHL goal on April 8th on the road against the Detroit Red Wings. He made his NHL playoffs debut on April 13th in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Vancouver Canucks. In Game 2 on April 15th, he gave the Hawks a shot at winning as he scored two of the Hawks' three goals. The biggest goal of his young career came on April 24th in Game 6 of the series when he scored the game winning goal in overtime to force a Game 7. All Hawks fans will forever remember that goal.

 

Smith will probably make the Hawks' roster right out of training camp next season. There's a chance he could spend some minimal time in Rockford, but it's doubtful. He'll be a key asset in the Hawks' success next year, considering what he's done in the spotlight already.

Smith in a game on November 9th against the Peoria Rivermen.

Smith celebrating his game winning goal in overtime on April 24th with Marian Hossa. (chicagoblackhawks.com)