IceHogs offer packed schedule of promotions

By Doug Halberstadt
Sports Columnist

The Rockford IceHogs will kick off their 2010 season with a fan festival beginning at 1 p.m. this Saturday (Oct. 9). The outdoor party will take place on Main Street in Rockford between Elm and State Street.

Highlights of the fan festival include food and drink samples from the Illinois Pork Producers and Pepsi products. Activities for kids and a live band will also be included. The puck drops on the 2010-11 season at 4:35 p.m. against the Manitoba Moose at the Rockford MetroCentre. Then, after the game, there’s an open skate on the ice while the Chicago Blackhawks’ championship season ring ceremony plays on the video screen.

The first 5,000 fans on opening night will pick up a magnet schedule presented by the Illinois Pork Producers, U.S. Cellular, Guerilla Graffix, Dental Dimensions and WNTA 1330-AM.

Several popular giveaways will be returning this season including the baseball hat (Nov. 6 vs. Manitoba), winter scarf (Dec. 11 vs. Oklahoma City), fleece blanket (Feb. 5 vs. Abbotsford), youth jersey (Feb. 19 vs. Houston) and jersey bag (Feb. 26 vs. Milwaukee).

New additions to the promotions slate include the refrigerator schedule (Oct. 23 vs. Chicago) and dry erase board (March 26 vs. Milwaukee).

The Teddy Bear Toss is set for Dec. 11 vs. Oklahoma City and Pink in the Rink; a benefit for cancer research will be Jan. 22 vs. San Antonio. The annual jersey auction game is March 13 vs. Chicago. The Stanley Cup and three other National Hockey League trophies will be appearing at the MetroCentre Oct. 10 vs. Grand Rapids.

All dates and quantities of the giveaways are subject to change. For more information, visit the IceHogs’ promotion schedule on icehogs.com or call the IceHogs’ front office at (815) 986-6465.

Season-long promotions

Taco Bell Dollar Days: Get $1 beers, $1 hot dogs, $1 sodas and $1 companion tickets for every Wednesday game throughout the 2010-11 season.

Runt’s Club Kids Days: Show the Runt’s Club membership card at the box office on any of 10 select nights (Oct. 10, Nov. 24, Dec. 11, Dec. 26, Jan. 8, Jan. 21, Feb. 19, March 13, March 19, April 8) and get a discount off one child’s ticket.

Skate with the Hogs: Bring your skates Oct. 23, Jan. 17 and Feb. 21 for Skate with the Hogs. Players will be on hand after the game to sign autographs and pose for pictures.

Arena Club Parties: Members of the Arena Club are invited to join the team in the party deck after the game Nov. 27, Jan. 12 and Feb. 19. Food will be provided.

2010-11 promotional schedule

Oct. 9: Opening Night presented by U.S. Cellular, Dental Dimensions, Guerilla Graffix, Illinois Pork Producers, WNTA 1330-AM

→ Pre-game Fan Fest on Main Street (1-4 p.m.)

→ Post-game open skate and watch Blackhawks’ ring ceremony

→ Magnet Schedule giveaway (first 5,000 fans)

Oct. 10: Appearance by Stanley Cup and other trophies presented by Taco Bell, WIFR, WXRX

→ Take a picture with Stanley Cup

→ Also view Campbell Bowl, Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy

→ Runts’ Club discount game

Oct. 23: Refrigerator Schedule presented by Mygofer.com (first 5,000 fans)

→ Post-game Skate with the Hogs

Nov. 6: Baseball Hat presented by Pepsi, WXRX and WIFR (first 2,500 fans)

Nov. 27: Jack Skille Bobblehead presented by Dental Dimensions and WIFR (first 2,500 fans)

→ Arena Club post-game party

Dec. 11: Winter Scarf presented by Mega Truck Rental (first 2,500 fans)

→ Teddy Bear Toss

Dec. 18: Pillow presented by OSF and The Eagle (first 2,500 fans)

Jan. 8: Kyle Beach Bobblehead presented by Rockford Health System and WIFR (first 2,500 fans)

→ Runts’ Club discount game

Jan. 14: Water Bottle presented by Rock Valley Culligan and 97 ZOK (first 2,500 fans)

Jan. 17: Cereal Bowl presented by General Mills and Q98.5 (first 2,500 fans)

→ Game time is 3:05 p.m.

→ Post-game Skate with the Hogs

Jan. 22: Pink in the Rink presented by Q98.5

→ Pink ice to raise awareness for breast cancer

→ Fund-raiser for breast cancer research

Feb. 5: Fleece Blanket presented by Lonnie’s Carpet Max (first 2,500 fans)

Feb. 19: Youth Jersey presented by Feldco, ESPN 1380 and WTVO (first 1,500 kids)

→ Runts’ Club discount game

→ Arena Club post-game party

Feb. 21: Kids’ Day at the MetroCentre

→ Game time is 2:05 p.m.

→ Post-game Skate with the Hogs

Feb. 26: Jersey Bag presented by ROA, WTVO and BOB FM (first 2,500 fans)

March 13: 12th Annual Jersey Auction

→ Post-game jersey auction to benefit IceHogs Charitable Foundation

→ In-game silent auction to benefit IceHogs Charitable Foundation

→ Runts’ Club discount game

March 19: Mystery Bobblehead presented by U.S. Cellular, WIFR and 97 ZOK (first 2,500 fans)

→ Runts’ Club discount game

March 26: Dry Erase Board presented by Rock Valley College, FOX 39 and BOB FM

April 8: Team Photo presented by The Eagle

→ Runts’ Club discount game

Single-game tickets for all 40 games at the MetroCentre are on sale now. Ticket prices range from $10 to $25 and they can be purchased at the MetroCentre Box Office, online at metrocentre.com or by calling (815) 968-5222.

From the Oct. 6-12, 2010 issue